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Chen Y, Xue H, Jin J. Applications of protein ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation in drug discovery. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107264. [PMID: 38582446 PMCID: PMC11087986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107264] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) is the major machinery mediating specific protein turnover in eukaryotic cells. By ubiquitylating unwanted, damaged, or harmful proteins and driving their degradation, UPS is involved in many important cellular processes. Several new UPS-based technologies, including molecular glue degraders and PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) to promote protein degradation, and DUBTACs (deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras) to increase protein stability, have been developed. By specifically inducing the interactions between different Ub ligases and targeted proteins that are not otherwise related, molecular glue degraders and PROTACs degrade targeted proteins via the UPS; in contrast, by inducing the proximity of targeted proteins to deubiquitinases, DUBTACs are created to clear degradable poly-Ub chains to stabilize targeted proteins. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress in molecular glue degraders, PROTACs, and DUBTACs and their applications. We discuss immunomodulatory drugs, sulfonamides, cyclin-dependent kinase-targeting molecular glue degraders, and new development of PROTACs. We also introduce the principle of DUBTAC and its applications. Finally, we propose a few future directions of these three technologies related to targeted protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haoan Xue
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jianping Jin
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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2
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Ito T. Protein degraders - from thalidomide to new PROTACs. J Biochem 2024; 175:507-519. [PMID: 38140952 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad113] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the development of protein degraders (protein-degrading compounds) has prominently progressed. There are two remarkable classes of protein degraders: proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders (MGDs). Almost 70 years have passed since thalidomide was initially developed as a sedative-hypnotic drug, which is currently recognized as one of the most well-known MGDs. During the last two decades, a myriad of PROTACs and MGDs have been developed, and the molecular mechanism of action (MOA) of thalidomide was basically elucidated, including identifying its molecular target cereblon (CRBN). CRBN forms a Cullin Ring Ligase 4 with Cul4 and DDB1, whose substrate specificity is controlled by its binding ligands. Thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, three CRBN-binding MGDs, were clinically approved to treat several intractable diseases (including multiple myeloma). Several other MGDs and CRBN-based PROTACs (ARV-110 and AVR-471) are undergoing clinical trials. In addition, several new related technologies regarding PROTACs and MGDs have also been developed, and achievements of protein degraders impact not only therapeutic fields but also basic biological science. In this article, I introduce the history of protein degraders, from the development of thalidomide to the latest PROTACs and related technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Ito
- Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
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Liu XI, Green DJ, van den Anker J, Ahmadzia HK, Burckart GJ, Dallmann A. Development of a Generic Fetal Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model and Prediction of Human Maternal and Fetal Organ Concentrations of Cefuroxime. Clin Pharmacokinet 2024; 63:69-78. [PMID: 37962827 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-023-01323-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for pregnant women have recently been successfully used to predict maternal and umbilical cord pharmacokinetics (PK). Because there is very limited opportunity for conducting clinical and PK investigations for fetal drug exposure, PBPK models may provide further insights. The objectives of this study were to extend a whole-body pregnancy PBPK model by multiple compartments representing fetal organs, and to predict the PK of cefuroxime in the maternal and fetal plasma, the amniotic fluid, and several fetal organs. METHODS To this end, a previously developed pregnancy PBPK model for cefuroxime was updated using the open-source software Open Systems Pharmacology (PK-Sim®/MoBi®). Multiple compartments were implemented to represent fetal organs including brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, the gastrointestinal tract (GI), muscles, and fat tissue, as well as another compartment lumping organs and tissues not explicitly represented. RESULTS This novel PBPK model successfully predicted cefuroxime concentrations in maternal blood, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, and several fetal organs including heart, liver, and lungs. Further model validation with additional clinical PK data is needed to build confidence in the model. CONCLUSIONS Being developed with an open-source software, the presented generic model can be freely re-used and tailored to address specific questions at hand, e.g., to assist the design of clinical studies in the context of drug research or to predict fetal organ concentrations of chemicals in the context of fetal health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei I Liu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Dionna J Green
- Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - John van den Anker
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Homa K Ahmadzia
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of OB/Gyn, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gilbert J Burckart
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - André Dallmann
- Bayer HealthCare SAS, Loos, France
- On Behalf of: Pharmacometrics/Modeling and Simulation, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany
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Xue Y, Bolinger AA, Zhou J. Novel approaches to targeted protein degradation technologies in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:467-483. [PMID: 36895136 PMCID: PMC11089573 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2187777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Target protein degradation (TPD) provides a novel therapeutic modality, other than inhibition, through the direct depletion of target proteins. Two primary human protein homeostasis mechanisms are exploited: the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the lysosomal system. TPD technologies based on these two systems are progressing at an impressive pace. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the TPD strategies based on UPS and lysosomal system, mainly classified into three types: Molecular Glue (MG), PROteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC), and lysosome-mediated TPD. Starting with a brief background introduction of each strategy, exciting examples and perspectives on these novel approaches are provided. EXPERT OPINION MGs and PROTACs are two major UPS-based TPD strategies that have been extensively investigated in the past decade. Despite some clinical trials, several critical issues remain, among which is emphasized by the limitation of targets. Recently developed lysosomal system-based approaches provide alternative solutions for TPD beyond UPS' capability. The newly emerging novel approaches may partially address issues that have long plagued researchers, such as low potency, poor cell permeability, on-/off-target toxicity, and delivery efficiency. Comprehensive considerations for the rational design of protein degraders and continuous efforts to seek effective solutions are imperative to advance these strategies into clinical medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xue
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Andrew A. Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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5
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Zhai LH, Chen KF, Hao BB, Tan MJ. Proteomic characterization of post-translational modifications in drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:3112-3129. [PMID: 36372853 PMCID: PMC9712763 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01017-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are usually enzymatically catalyzed, are major regulators of protein activity and involved in almost all celluar processes. Dysregulation of PTMs is associated with various types of diseases. Therefore, PTM regulatory enzymes represent as an attractive and important class of targets in drug research and development. Inhibitors against kinases, methyltransferases, deacetyltransferases, ubiquitin ligases have achieved remarkable success in clinical application. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies serve as a powerful approach for system-wide characterization of PTMs, which facilitates the identification of drug targets, elucidation of the mechanisms of action of drugs, and discovery of biomakers in personalized therapy. In this review, we summarize recent advances of proteomics-based studies on PTM targeting drugs and discuss how proteomics strategies facilicate drug target identification, mechanism elucidation, and new therapy development in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Kai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing-Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Min-Jia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
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Hui JY, Fuchs A, Kumar G. Embryo-fetal Exposure and Developmental Outcome of Lenalidomide Following Oral Administration to Pregnant Cynomolgus Monkeys. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 114:57-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Almasaud J, Aledaili SA, Alshammari RS. Ocular Coloboma With Choroidal Neovascular Membrane: A Case Report. Cureus 2021; 13:e19521. [PMID: 34796081 PMCID: PMC8590112 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19521] [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] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular coloboma (OC) is a rare congenital anomaly and a product of a defect in embryogenesis. It is the result of fetal fissure closure error that ends with a persistent cleft. Colobomas are generally accompanied by visual loss. In this article, we present a case of bilateral iris, disc, and retina coloboma that was managed with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (ranibizumab), and as a result, caused regression of the choroidal neovascular membranes and improved the patient's visual acuity. However, The patient will need lifelong follow-up to catch any retinochoroidal changes or development of cataract or glaucoma.
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Bodke VV, Burdette JE. Advancements in Microfluidic Systems for the Study of Female Reproductive Biology. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6225875. [PMID: 33852726 PMCID: PMC8571709 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The female reproductive tract is a highly complex physiological system that consists of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. An enhanced understanding of the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms of the tract will allow for the development of more effective assisted reproductive technologies, therapeutics, and screening strategies for female specific disorders. Traditional 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional static culture systems may not always reflect the cellular and physical contexts or physicochemical microenvironment necessary to understand the dynamic exchange that is crucial for the functioning of the reproductive system. Microfluidic systems present a unique opportunity to study the female reproductive tract, as these systems recapitulate the multicellular architecture, contacts between different tissues, and microenvironmental cues that largely influence cell structure, function, behavior, and growth. This review discusses examples, challenges, and benefits of using microfluidic systems to model ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrium, and placenta. Additionally, this review also briefly discusses the use of these systems in studying the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals and diseases such as ovarian cancer, preeclampsia, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedant V Bodke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 60607, USA
| | - Joanna E Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 60607, USA
- Correspondence: Joanna E. Burdette, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago, 900 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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9
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Holmes LB. Memories of the Teratology Society: 1972-2020. Birth Defects Res 2021; 112:935-941. [PMID: 32686350 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND My career goal in 1971 was to learn about the causes of malformations. Attending the annual meetings of the Teratology Society and reading the articles in Teratology exposed me to the scientists and clinicians involved in this research and the methods being used. METHODS Over a period of 49 years (1972-2020), I heard many presentations about several exposures in pregnancy that can cause birth defects. Symposia and platform presentations provided unique and stimulating information on the fetal effects of the teratogen thalidomide. RESULTS I developed research studies and presented the results from our studies on teratogenic exposures, such as anticonvulsant drugs, the prenatal diagnosis procedure chorionic villus sampling, and the abortifacient misoprostol. The annual Pregnancy Registry Workshop was developed as a forum for discussing issues related to this new method of evaluating potential teratogenic exposures in pregnancy. CONCLUSION Attending the annual meetings and reading the articles in the journal Teratology (now Birth Defects Research) have been an instructive and enjoyable way to learn about the causes of malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis B Holmes
- Medical Genetics and Metabolism Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Shimizu M, Tachikawa S, Saitoh N, Nakazono K, Yu-Jung L, Suga M, Ohnuma K. Thalidomide affects limb formation and multiple myeloma related genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells and their mesoderm differentiation. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 26:100978. [PMID: 33763605 PMCID: PMC7973312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although thalidomide is highly teratogenic, it has been prescribed for treating multiple myeloma and Hansen's disease. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Here, we employed a reverse transcription quantitative PCR array to measure the expression of 84 genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and their mesodermal differentiation. Thalidomide altered the expression of undifferentiated marker genes in both cell types. Thalidomide affected more genes in the mesoderm than in the hiPSCs. Ectoderm genes were upregulated but mesendoderm genes were downregulated by thalidomide during mesoderm induction, suggesting that thalidomide altered mesoderm differentiation. We found that FABP7 (fatty acid binding protein 7) was dramatically downregulated in the hiPSCs. FABP is related to retinoic acid, which is important signaling for limb formation. Moreover, thalidomide altered the expression of the genes involved in TGF-β signaling, limb formation, and multiple myeloma, which are related to thalidomide-induced malformations and medication. In summary, iPSCs can serve as useful tools to elucidate the mechanisms underlying thalidomide malformations in vitro. Thalidomide downregulated FABP7, a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) cording gene. FABP is related to retinoic acid, which is important signaling for limb formation. Thalidomide treatment affected the expression of limb formation related genes. Thalidomide treatment affected 5 genes related to multiple myeloma. Thalidomide upregulated ectoderm but downregulated mesendoderm markers in mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Shimizu
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Saoko Tachikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Nagatsuki Saitoh
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Kohei Nakazono
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Liu Yu-Jung
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Osaka, Ibaraki, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Mika Suga
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Osaka, Ibaraki, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ohnuma
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.,Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
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Sato T, Ito T, Handa H. Cereblon-Based Small-Molecule Compounds to Control Neural Stem Cell Proliferation in Regenerative Medicine. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:629326. [PMID: 33777938 PMCID: PMC7990905 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.629326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide, a sedative drug that was once excluded from the market owing to its teratogenic properties, was later found to be effective in treating multiple myeloma. We had previously demonstrated that cereblon (CRBN) is the target of thalidomide embryopathy and acts as a substrate receptor for the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, Cullin-Ring ligase 4 (CRL4CRBN) in zebrafish and chicks. CRBN was originally identified as a gene responsible for mild intellectual disability in humans. Fetuses exposed to thalidomide in early pregnancy were at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, suggesting that CRBN is involved in prenatal brain development. Recently, we found that CRBN controls the proliferation of neural stem cells in the developing zebrafish brain, leading to changes in brain size. Our findings imply that CRBN is involved in neural stem cell growth in humans. Accumulating evidence shows that CRBN is essential not only for the teratogenic effects but also for the therapeutic effects of thalidomide. This review summarizes recent progress in thalidomide and CRBN research, focusing on the teratogenic and therapeutic effects. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of thalidomide and its derivatives, CRBN E3 ligase modulators (CELMoDs), reveals that these modulators provide CRBN the ability to recognize neosubstrates depending on their structure. Understanding the therapeutic effects leads to the development of a novel technology called CRBN-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for target protein knockdown. These studies raise the possibility that CRBN-based small-molecule compounds regulating the proliferation of neural stem cells may be developed for application in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Sato
- Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takumi Ito
- Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Handa
- Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Yamanaka S, Murai H, Saito D, Abe G, Tokunaga E, Iwasaki T, Takahashi H, Takeda H, Suzuki T, Shibata N, Tamura K, Sawasaki T. Thalidomide and its metabolite 5-hydroxythalidomide induce teratogenicity via the cereblon neosubstrate PLZF. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105375. [PMID: 33470442 PMCID: PMC7883055 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide causes teratogenic effects by inducing protein degradation via cereblon (CRBN)-containing ubiquitin ligase and modification of its substrate specificity. Human P450 cytochromes convert thalidomide into two monohydroxylated metabolites that are considered to contribute to thalidomide effects, through mechanisms that remain unclear. Here, we report that promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger (PLZF)/ZBTB16 is a CRBN target protein whose degradation is involved in thalidomide- and 5-hydroxythalidomide-induced teratogenicity. Using a human transcription factor protein array produced in a wheat cell-free protein synthesis system, PLZF was identified as a thalidomide-dependent CRBN substrate. PLZF is degraded by the ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN in complex with thalidomide, its derivatives or 5-hydroxythalidomide in a manner dependent on the conserved first and third zinc finger domains of PLZF. Surprisingly, thalidomide and 5-hydroxythalidomide confer distinctly different substrate specificities to mouse and chicken CRBN, and both compounds cause teratogenic phenotypes in chicken embryos. Consistently, knockdown of Plzf induces short bone formation in chicken limbs. Most importantly, degradation of PLZF protein, but not of the known thalidomide-dependent CRBN substrate SALL4, was induced by thalidomide or 5-hydroxythalidomide treatment in chicken embryos. Furthermore, PLZF overexpression partially rescued the thalidomide-induced phenotypes. Our findings implicate PLZF as an important thalidomide-induced CRBN neosubstrate involved in thalidomide teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yamanaka
- Division of Cell‐Free SciencesProteo‐Science CenterEhime UniversityMatsuyamaJapan
| | - Hidetaka Murai
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life SciencesGraduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Daisuke Saito
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life SciencesGraduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Present address:
Department of BiologyFaculty of SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Gembu Abe
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life SciencesGraduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Etsuko Tokunaga
- Department of Nanopharmaceutical SciencesNagoya Institute of TechnologyNagoyaJapan
| | - Takahiro Iwasaki
- Division of Proteo‐Drug‐Discovery SciencesProteo‐Science CenterEhime UniversityMatsuyamaJapan
| | - Hirotaka Takahashi
- Division of Cell‐Free SciencesProteo‐Science CenterEhime UniversityMatsuyamaJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Division of Proteo‐Drug‐Discovery SciencesProteo‐Science CenterEhime UniversityMatsuyamaJapan
| | - Takayuki Suzuki
- Avian Bioscience Research CenterGraduate School of Bioagricultural SciencesNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Norio Shibata
- Department of Nanopharmaceutical SciencesNagoya Institute of TechnologyNagoyaJapan
| | - Koji Tamura
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life SciencesGraduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Tatsuya Sawasaki
- Division of Cell‐Free SciencesProteo‐Science CenterEhime UniversityMatsuyamaJapan
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Asatsuma-Okumura T, Ito T, Handa H. Molecular Mechanisms of the Teratogenic Effects of Thalidomide. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13050095. [PMID: 32414180 PMCID: PMC7281272 DOI: 10.3390/ph13050095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide was sold worldwide as a sedative over 60 years ago, but it was quickly withdrawn from the market due to its teratogenic effects. Thalidomide was later found to have therapeutic effects in several diseases, although the molecular mechanisms remained unclear. The discovery of cereblon (CRBN), the direct target of thalidomide, a decade ago greatly improved our understanding of its mechanism of action. Accumulating evidence has shown that CRBN functions as a substrate of Cullin RING E3 ligase (CRL4CRBN), whose specificity is controlled by ligands such as thalidomide. For example, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, well-known thalidomide derivatives, degrade the neosubstrates Ikaros and Aiolos, resulting in anti-proliferative effects in multiple myeloma. Recently, novel CRBN-binding drugs have been developed. However, for the safe handling of thalidomide and its derivatives, a greater understanding of the mechanisms of its adverse effects is required. The teratogenic effects of thalidomide occur in multiple tissues in the developing fetus and vary in phenotype, making it difficult to clarify this issue. Recently, several CRBN neosubstrates (e.g., SALL4 (Spalt Like Transcription Factor 4) and p63 (Tumor Protein P63)) have been identified as candidate mediators of thalidomide teratogenicity. In this review, we describe the current understanding of molecular mechanisms of thalidomide, particularly in the context of its teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takumi Ito
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-9323-3250; Fax: +81-3-9323-3251
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14
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Recent advances in the molecular mechanism of thalidomide teratogenicity. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 127:110114. [PMID: 32304852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide was first marketed in 1957 but soon withdrawn because of its notorious teratogenicity. Studies on the mechanism of action of thalidomide revealed the pleiotropic properties of this class of drugs, including their anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory activities. Based on their notable activities, thalidomide and its analogues, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, have been repurposed to treat erythema nodosum leprosum, multiple myeloma and other haematological malignancies. Thalidomide analogues were recently found to hijack CRL4CRBN ubiquitin ligase to target a number of cellular proteins for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Thalidomide-mediated degradation of SALL4 and p63, transcription factors essential for embryonic development, very likely plays a critical role in thalidomide embryopathy. In this review, we provide a brief retrospective summary of thalidomide-induced teratogenesis, the mechanism of thalidomide activity, and the latest advances in the molecular mechanism of thalidomide-induced birth malformations.
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15
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p63 is a cereblon substrate involved in thalidomide teratogenicity. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:1077-1084. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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16
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Asatsuma-Okumura T, Ito T, Handa H. Molecular mechanisms of cereblon-based drugs. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 202:132-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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17
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The role of ESCO2, SALL4 and TBX5 genes in the susceptibility to thalidomide teratogenesis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11413. [PMID: 31388035 PMCID: PMC6684595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide is widely used for several diseases; however, it causes malformations in embryos exposed during pregnancy. The complete understanding of the mechanisms by which thalidomide affects the embryo development has not yet been obtained. The phenotypic similarity makes TE a phenocopy of syndromes caused by mutations in ESCO2, SALL4 and TBX5 genes. Recently, SALL4 and TBX5 were demonstrated to be thalidomide targets. To understand if these genes act in the TE development, we sequenced them in 27 individuals with TE; we verified how thalidomide affect them in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) through a differential gene expression (DGE) analysis from GSE63935; and we evaluated how these genes are functionally related through an interaction network analysis. We identified 8 variants in ESCO2, 15 in SALL4 and 15 in TBX5. We compared allelic frequencies with data from ExAC, 1000 Genomes and ABraOM databases; eight variants were significantly different (p < 0.05). Eleven variants in SALL4 and TBX5 were previously associated with cardiac diseases or malformations; however, in TE sample there was no association. Variant effect prediction tools showed 97% of the variants with potential to influence in these genes regulation. DGE analysis showed a significant reduction of ESCO2 in hPSCs after thalidomide exposure.
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18
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An update on the genetics of ocular coloboma. Hum Genet 2019; 138:865-880. [PMID: 31073883 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ocular coloboma is an uncommon, but often severe, sight-threatening condition that can be identified from birth. This congenital anomaly is thought to be caused by maldevelopment of optic fissure closure during early eye morphogenesis. It has been causally linked to both inherited (genetic) and environmental influences. In particular, as a consequence of work to identify genetic causes of coloboma, new molecular pathways that control optic fissure closure have now been identified. Many more regulatory mechanisms still await better understanding to inform on the development of potential therapies for patients with this malformation. This review provides an update of known coloboma genes, the pathways they influence and how best to manage the condition. In the age of precision medicine, determining the underlying genetic cause in any given patient is of high importance.
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Mercurio A, Sharples L, Corbo F, Franchini C, Vacca A, Catalano A, Carocci A, Kamm RD, Pavesi A, Adriani G. Phthalimide Derivative Shows Anti-angiogenic Activity in a 3D Microfluidic Model and No Teratogenicity in Zebrafish Embryos. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:349. [PMID: 31057399 PMCID: PMC6479179 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor progression and metastasis. It is the process through which new blood vessels are formed and has become a therapeutic target in many cancer therapies. However, current anti-angiogenic drugs such as Thalidomide still have detrimental teratogenic effects. This property could be caused by the presence of chiral carbons, intrinsic to such compounds. We synthesized four different phthalimide derivatives that lack chiral carbons in their chemical structure. We hypothesized that these achiral carbon compounds would retain similar levels of anti-angiogenic activity whilst reducing teratogenic effects. We tested for their anti-angiogenic functions using an in vitro 3D microfluidic assay with human endothelial cells. All four compounds caused a drastic inhibition of angiogenesis at lower effective concentrations compared to Thalidomide. Quantification of the blood vessel sprouting in each condition allowed us to classify compounds depending on their anti-angiogenic capabilities. The most effective identified compound (C4), was tested in vivo on a zebrafish embryo model. Blood vessel development was measured using number and lengths of the stalks visible in the fli1a:EGFP transgenic line. Potential teratogenic effects of C4 were monitored over zebrafish embryonic development. The in vivo results confirmed the increased potency of C4 compared to Thalidomide demonstrated by results in embryos exposed to concentrations as low as 0.02 μM. The teratogenic analysis further validated the advantages of using C4 over Thalidomide in zebrafish embryos. This study highlights how the use of in vitro 3D model can allow rapid screening and selection of new and safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Mercurio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lucy Sharples
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Filomena Corbo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Franchini
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
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20
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Samel C, Albus C, Nippert I, Niecke A, Lüngen M, Pfaff H, Peters KM. Life situation of women impaired by Thalidomide embryopathy in North Rhine-Westphalia - a comparative analysis of a recent cross-sectional study with earlier data. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2019; 19:51. [PMID: 30943953 PMCID: PMC6448387 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-019-0745-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Between 1957 and 1961 the substance Thalidomide was sold in West Germany and taken by many women as a sedative during pregnancy. This lead to miscarriages and infants been born with several severe malformations. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation of women impaired by Thalidomide induced embryopahty in North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, in comparison with the results found in a study done in 2002 by Nippert et al. Methods Questionnaires as well as examinations were performed. Data were compared using descriptive and inductive statistical methods. Results Both studies show that women impaired by Thalidomide embryopathy face a poorer health status than women their age in the general population and live in fear of further deteriorating health. The majority can only work reduced hours or are already retired due to poor health. Most of those who need assistance are being assisted by their social environment, while professional care is still utilized in only few cases. Conclusions An obvious need for a shift in the provision of assistance and/or care provided was found as the social environment supporting the impaired women is also aging and therefore in high danger of breaking apart. Trial registration The study has been registered at German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00010593, on 07.06.2016 retrospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Samel
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Bachemer Str. 86, 50931, Cologne, Germany. .,Institute for Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Gleueler Str. 176-178, 50935, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Irmgard Nippert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Alexander Niecke
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Lüngen
- Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences, Osnabrück, University of Applied Sciences, Postfach 19 40, 49009, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Holger Pfaff
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Klaus M Peters
- Department of Orthopedics and Osteology, Dr. Becker Rhein-Sieg-Klinik, Höhenstr. 30, 51588, Nümbrecht, Germany
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21
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Kwon E, Li X, Deng Y, Chang HW, Kim DY. AMPK is down-regulated by the CRL4A-CRBN axis through the polyubiquitination of AMPKα isoforms. FASEB J 2019; 33:6539-6550. [PMID: 30807229 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801766rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As a master regulator for metabolic and energy homeostasis, AMPK controls the activity of metabolic enzymes and transcription factors in response to cellular ATP status. AMPK has been thus recognized as a main target for the regulation of cellular energy metabolism. Here, we report that AMPK can be down-regulated by the cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligase 4A (CRL4A) with cereblon (CRBN). CRL4A interacted with AMPK holoenzymes and mediated AMPKα-specific polyubiquitination for its proteasomal degradation through non-K48 polyubiquitin linkages. In the ubiquitination system, CRBN was required for efficient polyubiquitination of AMPKα subunits. Consistently, polyubiquitination of AMPKα subunits was reduced by inhibitors of CRL4A-CRBN. Physiologic function of AMPK down-regulation by CRL4-CRBN was also confirmed using mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). The inactivation of CRL4A-CRBN in BMMC increased AMPK stability and suppressed secretion of allergic mediators via AMPK activation followed by MAPK inhibition. In addition, CRBN knockout of BMMC also decreased allergic responses in mice. Our results suggest that the CRL4A-CRBN axis could be a target for the regulation of AMPK-dependent responses.-Kwon, E., Li, X., Deng, Y., Chang, H. W., Kim, D. Y. AMPK is down-regulated by the CRL4A-CRBN axis through the polyubiquitination of AMPKα isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Xian Li
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Yifeng Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Hyeun Wook Chang
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Dong Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
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22
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Prospects and modalities for the treatment of genetic ocular anomalies. Hum Genet 2019; 138:1019-1026. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-01968-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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23
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Mansour S, Baple E, Hall CM. A clinical review and introduction of the diagnostic algorithm for thalidomide embryopathy (DATE). J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2019; 44:96-108. [PMID: 30253685 DOI: 10.1177/1753193418800631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Thalidomide embryopathy results from the ingestion of thalidomide in the first trimester during pregnancy, causing multiple forms of congenital abnormalities of variable severity that involve all systems. The skeletal findings most frequently affect the limbs, particularly the upper limbs and hands. Increasingly, several genetic disorders with similar birth defects have been identified. New cases of malformations owing to possible exposure to thalidomide continue to present through both historical and current usage. However, inadequate proof of ingestion, marked phenotypic variation and the possibility of an alternative genetic condition, hinder the diagnosis of thalidomide embryopathy. We introduce a 'diagnostic algorithm for thalidomide embryopathy' (DATE) diagnostic software that can potentially provide a numerical score for the likelihood of birth defects in an individual as being caused by exposure to thalidomide and to provide a differential diagnosis based on the pattern of malformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Mansour
- 1 Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.,2 SW Thames Regional Genetics Service, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma Baple
- 1 Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.,3 Medical Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Christine M Hall
- 1 Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.,4 Emeritus of Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, UK
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Fuchs O. Treatment of Lymphoid and Myeloid Malignancies by Immunomodulatory Drugs. Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets 2019; 19:51-78. [PMID: 29788898 DOI: 10.2174/1871529x18666180522073855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Thalidomide and its derivatives (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, avadomide, iberdomide hydrochoride, CC-885 and CC-90009) form the family of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). Lenalidomide (CC5013, Revlimid®) was approved by the US FDA and the EMA for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, low or intermediate-1 risk transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with chromosome 5q deletion [del(5q)] and relapsed and/or refractory mantle cell lymphoma following bortezomib. Lenalidomide has also been studied in clinical trials and has shown promising activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Lenalidomide has anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits angiogenesis. Pomalidomide (CC4047, Imnovid® [EU], Pomalyst® [USA]) was approved for advanced MM insensitive to bortezomib and lenalidomide. Other IMiDs are in phases 1 and 2 of clinical trials. Cereblon (CRBN) seems to have an important role in IMiDs action in both lymphoid and myeloid hematological malignancies. Cereblon acts as the substrate receptor of a cullin-4 really interesting new gene (RING) E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN. This E3 ubiquitin ligase in the absence of lenalidomide ubiquitinates CRBN itself and the other components of CRL4CRBN complex. Presence of lenalidomide changes specificity of CRL4CRBN which ubiquitinates two transcription factors, IKZF1 (Ikaros) and IKZF3 (Aiolos), and casein kinase 1α (CK1α) and marks them for degradation in proteasomes. Both these transcription factors (IKZF1 and IKZF3) stimulate proliferation of MM cells and inhibit T cells. Low CRBN level was connected with insensitivity of MM cells to lenalidomide. Lenalidomide decreases expression of protein argonaute-2, which binds to cereblon. Argonaute-2 seems to be an important drug target against IMiDs resistance in MM cells. Lenalidomide decreases also basigin and monocarboxylate transporter 1 in MM cells. MM cells with low expression of Ikaros, Aiolos and basigin are more sensitive to lenalidomide treatment. The CK1α gene (CSNK1A1) is located on 5q32 in commonly deleted region (CDR) in del(5q) MDS. Inhibition of CK1α sensitizes del(5q) MDS cells to lenalidomide. CK1α mediates also survival of malignant plasma cells in MM. Though, inhibition of CK1α is a potential novel therapy not only in del(5q) MDS but also in MM. High level of full length CRBN mRNA in mononuclear cells of bone marrow and of peripheral blood seems to be necessary for successful therapy of del(5q) MDS with lenalidomide. While transfusion independence (TI) after lenalidomide treatment is more than 60% in MDS patients with del(5q), only 25% TI and substantially shorter duration of response with occurrence of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were achieved in lower risk MDS patients with normal karyotype treated with lenalidomide. Shortage of the biomarkers for lenalidomide response in these MDS patients is the main problem up to now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ota Fuchs
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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25
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SALL4 mediates teratogenicity as a thalidomide-dependent cereblon substrate. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:981-987. [PMID: 30190590 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation via small-molecule modulation of cereblon offers vast potential for the development of new therapeutics. Cereblon-binding therapeutics carry the safety risks of thalidomide, which caused an epidemic of severe birth defects characterized by forelimb shortening or phocomelia. Here we show that thalidomide is not teratogenic in transgenic mice expressing human cereblon, indicating that binding to cereblon is not sufficient to cause birth defects. Instead, we identify SALL4 as a thalidomide-dependent cereblon neosubstrate. Human mutations in SALL4 cause Duane-radial ray, IVIC, and acro-renal-ocular syndromes with overlapping clinical presentations to thalidomide embryopathy, including phocomelia. SALL4 is degraded in rabbits but not in resistant organisms such as mice because of SALL4 sequence variations. This work expands the scope of cereblon neosubstrate activity within the formerly 'undruggable' C2H2 zinc finger family and offers a path toward safer therapeutics through an improved understanding of the molecular basis of thalidomide-induced teratogenicity.
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26
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Kumar P, Kumar HA, Sundaresan L, Ghosh A, Kathirvel P, Thilak A, Katakia YT, Sankaranarayanan K, Chatterjee S. Thalidomide remodels developing heart in chick embryo: discovery of a thalidomide mediated hematoma in heart muscle. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2018; 391:1093-1105. [PMID: 29982937 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1532-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite of medical disaster caused by thalidomide in 1960s, the drug came to clinical use again for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and multiple myeloma. Recently, a new generation of children affected by thalidomide intake by their mothers during pregnancy has been identified in Brazil. In the past few years, there is the great enhancement in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and targets of thalidomide with the help of modern OMICS technologies. However, understanding of cardiac-specific anomalies in fetus due to thalidomide intake by the respective mother has not been explored fully. At organ level, thalidomide causes congenital heart diseases, limb deformities in addition to ocular, and neural and ear abnormalities. The period of morning sickness and cardiogenesis is synchronized in pregnant women. Therefore, thalidomide intake during the first trimester could affect cardiogenesis severely. Thalidomide intake in pregnant women either causes miscarriage or heart abnormalities such as patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), and pulmonary stenosis in survivors. In the present study, we identified a novel morphological defect (lump) in the heart of thalidomide-treated chick embryos. We characterized the lump at morphological, histo-pathological, oxidative stress, electro-physiological, and gene expression level. To our knowledge, here, we report the very first electrophysiological characterization of embryonic heart affected by thalidomide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavitra Kumar
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Harish A Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lakshmikirupa Sundaresan
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anuran Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Apurva Thilak
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Yash T Katakia
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Suvro Chatterjee
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. .,Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. .,AU-KBC Research Centre, M.I.T Campus of Anna University, Chromepet, Chennai, 600044, India.
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27
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Rico-Varela J, Ho D, Wan LQ. In Vitro Microscale Models for Embryogenesis. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 2:1700235. [PMID: 30533517 PMCID: PMC6286056 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Embryogenesis is a highly regulated developmental process requiring complex mechanical and biochemical microenvironments to give rise to a fully developed and functional embryo. Significant efforts have been taken to recapitulate specific features of embryogenesis by presenting the cells with developmentally relevant signals. The outcomes, however, are limited partly due to the complexity of this biological process. Microtechnologies such as micropatterned and microfluidic systems, along with new emerging embryonic stem cell-based models, could potentially serve as powerful tools to study embryogenesis. The aim of this article is to review major studies involving the culturing of pluripotent stem cells using different geometrical patterns, microfluidic platforms, and embryo/embryoid body-on-a-chip modalities. Indeed, new research opportunities have emerged for establishing in vitro culture for studying human embryogenesis and for high-throughput pharmacological testing platforms and disease models to prevent defects in early stages of human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Rico-Varela
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
| | - Dominic Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
| | - Leo Q. Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
- Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
- Center for Modeling, Simulation and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
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Masjosthusmann S, Becker D, Petzuch B, Klose J, Siebert C, Deenen R, Barenys M, Baumann J, Dach K, Tigges J, Hübenthal U, Köhrer K, Fritsche E. A transcriptome comparison of time-matched developing human, mouse and rat neural progenitor cells reveals human uniqueness. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:40-55. [PMID: 29753005 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that human brain development has unique features that cannot be represented by rodents. Obvious reasons are the evolutionary distance and divergent physiology. This might lead to false predictions when rodents are used for safety or pharmacological efficacy studies. For a better translation of animal-based research to the human situation, human in vitro systems might be useful. In this study, we characterize developing neural progenitor cells from prenatal human and time-matched rat and mouse brains by analyzing the changes in their transcriptome profile during neural differentiation. Moreover, we identify hub molecules that regulate neurodevelopmental processes like migration and differentiation. Consequences of modulation of three of those hubs on these processes were studied in a species-specific context. We found that although the gene expression profiles of the three species largely differ qualitatively and quantitatively, they cluster in similar GO terms like cell migration, gliogenesis, neurogenesis or development of multicellular organism. Pharmacological modulation of the identified hub molecules triggered species-specific cellular responses. This study underlines the importance of understanding species differences on the molecular level and advocates the use of human based in vitro models for pharmacological and toxicological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Masjosthusmann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Daniel Becker
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany
| | - Barbara Petzuch
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Clara Siebert
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Rene Deenen
- Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Marta Barenys
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Jenny Baumann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany
| | - Katharina Dach
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany; Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Julia Tigges
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Hübenthal
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, NRW, Germany.
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Tachikawa S, Shimizu M, Maruyama K, Ohnuma K. Thalidomide induces apoptosis during early mesodermal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2018; 54:231-240. [PMID: 29435726 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-018-0234-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Thalidomide was once administered to pregnant women as a mild sedative; however, it was subsequently shown to be strongly teratogenic. Recently, there has been renewed interest in thalidomide because of its curative effects against intractable diseases. However, the teratogenicity of thalidomide is manifested in various ways and is still not fully understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of thalidomide on early mesodermal differentiation by examining the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The most common symptom of thalidomide teratogenicity is limb abnormality, which led us to hypothesize that thalidomide prevents early mesodermal differentiation. Therefore, mesodermal differentiation of hiPSCs was induced over a 6-d period. To induce early mesoderm differentiation, 1 d after seeding, the cells were incubated with the small molecule compound CHIR99021 for 3 d. Thalidomide exposure was initiated at the same time as CHIR99021 treatment. After 5 d of thalidomide exposure, the hiPSCs began expressing a mesodermal marker; however, the number of viable cells decreased significantly as compared to that of control cells. We observed that the proportion of apoptotic and dead cells increased on day 2; however, the proportion of dead cells on day 5 had decreased, suggesting that the cells were damaged by thalidomide during early mesodermal differentiation (days 0-2). Our findings may help elucidate the mechanism underlying thalidomide teratogenicity and bring us closer to the safe use of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoko Tachikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Maho Shimizu
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Maruyama
- Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ohnuma
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
- Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
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30
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Holmes LB, Nasri H, Hunt AT, Toufaily MH, Westgate MN. Polydactyly, postaxial, type B. Birth Defects Res 2018; 110:134-141. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lewis B. Holmes
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston
- Department of Pediatrics; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Hanah Nasri
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston
| | | | - M. Hassan Toufaily
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston
| | - Marie-Noel Westgate
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston
- Medical Genetics Unit; MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Boston
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31
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Mori T, Ito T, Liu S, Ando H, Sakamoto S, Yamaguchi Y, Tokunaga E, Shibata N, Handa H, Hakoshima T. Structural basis of thalidomide enantiomer binding to cereblon. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1294. [PMID: 29358579 PMCID: PMC5778007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide possesses two optical isomers which have been reported to exhibit different pharmacological and toxicological activities. However, the precise mechanism by which the two isomers exert their different activities remains poorly understood. Here, we present structural and biochemical studies of (S)- and (R)-enantiomers bound to the primary target of thalidomide, cereblon (CRBN). Our biochemical studies employed deuterium-substituted thalidomides to suppress optical isomer conversion, and established that the (S)-enantiomer exhibited ~10-fold stronger binding to CRBN and inhibition of self-ubiquitylation compared to the (R)-enantiomer. The crystal structures of the thalidomide-binding domain of CRBN bound to each enantiomer show that both enantiomers bind the tri-Trp pocket, although the bound form of the (S)-enantiomer exhibited a more relaxed glutarimide ring conformation. The (S)-enantiomer induced greater teratogenic effects on fins of zebrafish compared to the (R)-enantiomer. This study has established a mechanism by which thalidomide exerts its effects in a stereospecific manner at the atomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Mori
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Takumi Ito
- Department of Nanoparticle Translational Research, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.,PRESTO, JST, 4-1-8, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Shujie Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Hideki Ando
- Department of Nanoparticle Translational Research, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sakamoto
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamaguchi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Etsuko Tokunaga
- Department of Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan
| | - Norio Shibata
- Department of Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Handa
- Department of Nanoparticle Translational Research, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Toshio Hakoshima
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan.
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32
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Boccanera C, Stabile F, Corvi R, Mariscoli M, Mandara MT. Hydrocephalus, supratentorial diverticulum and agenesis of the interthalamic adhesion and corpus callosum in a cat: MRI findings, treatment and follow‐up. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2016-000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Boccanera
- Medicina VeterinariaUniversita degli Studi di PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Fabio Stabile
- Department of Neurology/ NeurosurgeryThe Animal Health TrustNewmarketUK
| | - Roberta Corvi
- Universita degli Studi di Teramo Facolta di Medicina VeterinariaTeramoAbruzzoItaly
| | - Massimo Mariscoli
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesUniversity of TeramoTeramoItaly
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33
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Blundell C, Yi YS, Ma L, Tess ER, Farrell MJ, Georgescu A, Aleksunes LM, Huh D. Placental Drug Transport-on-a-Chip: A Microengineered In Vitro Model of Transporter-Mediated Drug Efflux in the Human Placental Barrier. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:10.1002/adhm.201700786. [PMID: 29121458 PMCID: PMC5793852 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The current lack of knowledge about the effect of maternally administered drugs on the developing fetus is a major public health concern worldwide. The first critical step toward predicting the safety of medications in pregnancy is to screen drug compounds for their ability to cross the placenta. However, this type of preclinical study has been hampered by the limited capacity of existing in vitro and ex vivo models to mimic physiological drug transport across the maternal-fetal interface in the human placenta. Here the proof-of-principle for utilizing a microengineered model of the human placental barrier to simulate and investigate drug transfer from the maternal to the fetal circulation is demonstrated. Using the gestational diabetes drug glyburide as a model compound, it is shown that the microphysiological system is capable of reconstituting efflux transporter-mediated active transport function of the human placental barrier to limit fetal exposure to maternally administered drugs. The data provide evidence that the placenta-on-a-chip may serve as a new screening platform to enable more accurate prediction of drug transport in the human placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassidy Blundell
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Yoon-Suk Yi
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Emily R. Tess
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Megan J. Farrell
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Andrei Georgescu
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Lauren M. Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Dongeun Huh
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA
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34
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In vivo screening and discovery of novel candidate thalidomide analogs in the zebrafish embryo and chicken embryo model systems. Oncotarget 2017; 7:33237-45. [PMID: 27120781 PMCID: PMC5078090 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide, a drug known for its teratogenic side-effects, is used successfully to treat a variety of clinical conditions including leprosy and multiple myeloma. Intense efforts are underway to synthesize and identify safer, clinically relevant analogs. Here, we conduct a preliminary in vivo screen of a library of new thalidomide analogs to determine which agents demonstrate activity, and describe a cohort of compounds with anti-angiogenic properties, anti-inflammatory properties and some compounds which exhibited both. The combination of the in vivo zebrafish and chicken embryo model systems allows for the accelerated discovery of new, potential therapies for cancerous and inflammatory conditions.
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35
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Veeriah V, Kumar P, Sundaresan L, Mafitha Z, Gupta R, Saran U, Manivannan J, Chatterjee S. Transcriptomic Analysis of Thalidomide Challenged Chick Embryo Suggests Possible Link between Impaired Vasculogenesis and Defective Organogenesis. Chem Res Toxicol 2017; 30:1883-1896. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ravi Gupta
- SciGenom Laboratories, Cochin, Kerala 682037, India
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36
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Tachikawa S, Nishimura T, Nakauchi H, Ohnuma K. Thalidomide induces apoptosis in undifferentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2017; 53:841-851. [PMID: 28849348 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-017-0192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Thalidomide, which was formerly available commercially to control the symptoms of morning sickness, is a strong teratogen that causes fetal abnormalities. However, the mechanism of thalidomide teratogenicity is not fully understood; thalidomide toxicity is not apparent in rodents, and the use of human embryos is ethically and technically untenable. In this study, we designed an experimental system featuring human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to investigate the effects of thalidomide. These cells exhibit the same characteristics as those of epiblasts originating from implanted fertilized ova, which give rise to the fetus. Therefore, theoretically, thalidomide exposure during hiPSC differentiation is equivalent to that in the human fetus. We examined the effects of thalidomide on undifferentiated hiPSCs and early-differentiated hiPSCs cultured in media containing bone morphogenetic protein-4, which correspond, respectively, to epiblast (future fetus) and trophoblast (future extra-embryonic tissue). We found that only the number of undifferentiated cells was reduced. In undifferentiated cells, application of thalidomide increased the number of apoptotic and dead cells at day 2 but not day 4. Application of thalidomide did not affect the cell cycle. Furthermore, immunostaining and flow cytometric analysis revealed that thalidomide exposure had no effect on the expression of specific markers of undifferentiated and early trophectodermal differentiated cells. These results suggest that the effect of thalidomide was successfully detected in our experimental system and that thalidomide eliminated a subpopulation of undifferentiated hiPSCs. This study may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying thalidomide teratogenicity and reveal potential strategies for safely prescribing this drug to pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoko Tachikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Toshinobu Nishimura
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kiyoshi Ohnuma
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan. .,Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
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37
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Halle TR, Soares BP, Todd NW. Inner ear anomalies in children with isolated unilateral congenital aural atresia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 95:5-8. [PMID: 28576532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS We aim to define the frequencies of anomalies of the inner ear, oval window, and round window ipsilateral to isolated non-syndromic unilateral aural atresia. METHODS AND MATERIALS Retrospective case series. We reviewed high resolution computed tomography scans of the temporal bones of 70 children with isolated non-syndromic unilateral congenital aural atresia. Scans were reviewed according to the Jahrsdoerfer criteria and further evaluated for anomalies of the vestibule, semi-circular canals, cochlea, internal auditory canal and vestibulocochlear nerve. RESULTS Inner ear dysplasia was seen in two of 70 atretic ears: one with a dysmorphic lateral semicircular canal and another with a large vestibule assimilating the lateral semicircular canal. Abnormalities of the oval window and round window ipsilateral to the atresia were identified in 21% (15) and 7% (5), respectively, of the atretic ears. Oval window and round window abnormalities were associated with disproportionately lower Jahrsdoerfer scores compared to aural atresia patients without these abnormalities (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION Compared to studies that included syndromic or bilateral atresia cases, we found inner ear and oval window abnormalities less common in children with isolated non-syndromic unilateral aural atresia. However, round window anomalies seem to occur at about the same frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R Halle
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Bruno P Soares
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - N Wendell Todd
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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38
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Paiva SL, da Silva SR, de Araujo ED, Gunning PT. Regulating the Master Regulator: Controlling Ubiquitination by Thinking Outside the Active Site. J Med Chem 2017; 61:405-421. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stacey-Lynn Paiva
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Sara R. da Silva
- Department
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Elvin D. de Araujo
- Department
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Patrick T. Gunning
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
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39
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Sorensen D, Sackett A, Urban DJ, Maier J, Vargesson N, Sears KE. A new mammalian model system for thalidomide teratogenesis: Monodelphis domestica. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 70:126-132. [PMID: 28130151 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
From 1957 to 1962, thalidomide caused birth defects in >10,000 children. While the drug was pulled from the market, thalidomide is currently prescribed to treat conditions including leprosy. As a result, a new generation of babies with thalidomide defects is being born in the developing world. This represents a serious problem, as the mechanisms by which thalidomide disrupts development remain unresolved. This lack of resolution is due, in part, to the absence of an appropriate mammalian model for thalidomide teratogenesis. We test the hypothesis that opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is well suited to model human thalidomide defects. Results suggest that opossum embryos exposed to thalidomide display a range of phenotypes (e.g., heart, craniofacial, limb defects) and penetrance similar to humans. Furthermore, all opossums with thalidomide defects exhibit vascular disruptions. Results therefore support the hypotheses that opossums make a good mammalian model for thalidomide teratogenesis, and that thalidomide can severely disrupt angiogenesis in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sorensen
- School of Integrative Biology, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Amanda Sackett
- School of Integrative Biology, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Daniel J Urban
- School of Integrative Biology, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jennifer Maier
- School of Integrative Biology, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Neil Vargesson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Karen E Sears
- School of Integrative Biology, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Institute for Genomic Biology, 1206 W Gregory Drive, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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40
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Thalidomide attenuates the development and expression of antinociceptive tolerance to μ-opioid agonist morphine through l-arginine-iNOS and nitric oxide pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 85:493-502. [PMID: 27899254 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine is a μ-opioid analgesic drug which is used in the treatment and management of chronic pain. However, due to development of antinociceptive tolerance its clinical use is limited. Thalidomide is an old glutamic acid derivative which recently reemerged because of its potential to counteract a number of disorders including neurodegenerative disorders. The potential underlying mechanisms and effects of thalidomide on morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance is still elusive. Hence, the present study was designed to explore the effect of thalidomide on the development and expression of morphine antinociceptive tolerance targeting l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway in mice and T98G human glioblastoma cell line. When thalidomide was administered in a dose of 17.5mg/kg before each dose of morphine chronically for 5days it prevented the development of antinociceptive tolerance. Also, a single dose of thalidomide 20mg/kg attenuated the expression phase of antinociceptive tolerance. The protective effect of thalidomide was augmented in development phase when co-administration with NOS inhibitors like L-NAME (non- selective NOS inhibitor; 2mg/kg) or aminoguanidine (selective inducible NOS inhibitor; 50mg/kg). Also, the reversal effect of thalidomide in expression phase was potentiated when concomitantly administrated with L-NAME (5mg/kg) or aminoguanidine (100mg/kg). Co-administration of ODQ (a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) 10mg/kg in developmental phase or 20mg/kg in expression phase also progressively increased the pain threshold. In addition, thalidomide (20μM) also significantly inhibited the overexpression of iNOS gene induced by morphine (2.5μM) in T98G cell line. Hence, our findings suggest that thalidomide has protective effect both in the development and expression phases of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. It is also evident that this effect of thalidomide is induced by the inhibition of NOS enzyme predominantly iNOS.
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Human teratogens and genetic phenocopies. Understanding pathogenesis through human genes mutation. Eur J Med Genet 2016; 60:22-31. [PMID: 27639441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to teratogenic drugs during pregnancy is associated with a wide range of embryo-fetal anomalies and sometimes results in recurrent and recognizable patterns of malformations; however, the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of drug-induced birth defects is difficult, since teratogenesis is a multifactorial process which is always the result of a complex interaction between several environmental factors and the genetic background of both the mother and the fetus. Animal models have been extensively used to assess the teratogenic potential of pharmacological agents and to study their teratogenic mechanisms; however, a still open issue concerns how the information gained through animal models can be translated to humans. Instead, significant information can be obtained by the identification and analysis of human genetic syndromes characterized by clinical features overlapping with those observed in drug-induced embryopathies. Until now, genetic phenocopies have been reported for the embryopathies/fetopathies associated with prenatal exposure to warfarin, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, fluconazole, thalidomide and ACE inhibitors. In most cases, genetic phenocopies are caused by mutations in genes encoding for the main targets of teratogens or for proteins belonging to the same molecular pathways. The aim of this paper is to review the proposed teratogenic mechanisms of these drugs, by the analysis of human monogenic disorders and their molecular pathogenesis.
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42
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Tajima T, Wada T, Yoshizawa A, Masuda T, Okafuji T, Nakayama T, Hasuo K. Internal anomalies in thalidomide embryopathy: results of imaging screening by CT and MRI. Clin Radiol 2016; 71:1199.e1-7. [PMID: 27567725 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To examine the prevalence and detailed radiological findings of internal anomalies in thalidomide embryopathy (TE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole-body image screening for internal anomalies using unenhanced whole-body computed tomography (CT) and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 22 patients (13 women and nine men; mean age, 49 years; range, 47-51 years) with TE. RESULTS Among the 22 patients with TE, internal anomalies were detected in 19 (86.4%): anomalies of the auditory organ in 10 (45.5%), anomalies of the vascular system in six (27.3%), agenesis of the gallbladder in six (27.3%), hypoplasia or aplasia of the 7th or 8th cranial nerves in five (22.7%), block vertebrae in five (22.7%), fusion of the left lobe and quadrate lobe of the liver in three (9.1%), and others in five (22.7%), respectively. CONCLUSION In addition to limb defects or hypoplasia, various internal anomalies can be detected at a high incidence in TE using CT and MRI. Understanding these characteristic radiological findings may help radiologists detect a wide range of radiological findings of internal anomalies associated with TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Tajima
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
| | - T Wada
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - A Yoshizawa
- Department of General Internal Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - T Masuda
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - T Okafuji
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - T Nakayama
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - K Hasuo
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
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Min Y, Wi SM, Kang JA, Yang T, Park CS, Park SG, Chung S, Shim JH, Chun E, Lee KY. Cereblon negatively regulates TLR4 signaling through the attenuation of ubiquitination of TRAF6. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2313. [PMID: 27468689 PMCID: PMC4973362 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cereblon (CRBN) is a substrate receptor protein for the CRL4A E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. In this study, we report on a new regulatory role of CRBN in TLR4 signaling. CRBN overexpression leads to suppression of NF-κB activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and IL-1β in response to TLR4 stimulation. Biochemical studies revealed interactions between CRBN and TAK1, and TRAF6 proteins. The interaction between CRBN and TAK1 did not affect the association of the TAB1 and TAB2 proteins, which have pivotal roles in the activation of TAK1, whereas the CRBN-TRAF6 interaction critically affected ubiquitination of TRAF6 and TAB2. Binding mapping results revealed that CRBN interacts with the Zinc finger domain of TRAF6, which contains the ubiquitination site of TRAF6, leading to attenuation of ubiquitination of TRAF6 and TAB2. Functional studies revealed that CRBN-knockdown THP-1 cells show enhanced NF-κB activation and p65- or p50-DNA binding activities, leading to up-regulation of NF-κB-dependent gene expression and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in response to TLR4 stimulation. Furthermore, Crbn−/− mice exhibit decreased survival in response to LPS challenge, accompanied with marked enhancement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CRBN negatively regulates TLR4 signaling via attenuation of TRAF6 and TAB2 ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Min
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 300, Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-Gu, Suwon 440-746, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae Mi Wi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 300, Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-Gu, Suwon 440-746, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Ah Kang
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Taewoo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Seung Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Gyoo Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkwon Chung
- Department of Physiology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eunyoung Chun
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ki-Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 300, Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-Gu, Suwon 440-746, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
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Thalidomide-induced limb abnormalities in a humanized CYP3A mouse model. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21419. [PMID: 26903378 PMCID: PMC4763305 DOI: 10.1038/srep21419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide is a teratogen in humans but not in rodents. It causes multiple birth defects including malformations of limbs, ears, and other organs. However, the species-specific mechanism of thalidomide teratogenicity is not completely understood. Reproduction of the human teratogenicity of thalidomide in rodents has previously failed because of the lack of a model reflecting human drug metabolism. In addition, because the maternal metabolic effect cannot be eliminated, the migration of unchanged thalidomide to embryos is suppressed, and the metabolic activation is insufficient to develop teratogenicity. Previously, we generated transchromosomic mice containing a human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A cluster in which the endogenous mouse Cyp3a genes were deleted. Here, we determined whether human CYP3A or mouse Cyp3a enzyme expression was related to the species difference in a whole embryo culture system using humanized CYP3A mouse embryos. Thalidomide-treated embryos with the human CYP3A gene cluster showed limb abnormalities, and human CYP3A was expressed in the placenta, suggesting that human CYP3A in the placenta may contribute to the teratogenicity of thalidomide. These data suggest that the humanized CYP3A mouse is a useful model to predict embryonic toxicity in humans.
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Kumar P, Kasiviswanathan D, Sundaresan L, Kathirvel P, Veeriah V, Dutta P, Sankaranarayanan K, Gupta R, Chatterjee S. Harvesting clues from genome wide transcriptome analysis for exploring thalidomide mediated anomalies in eye development of chick embryo: Nitric oxide rectifies the thalidomide mediated anomalies by swinging back the system to normal transcriptome pattern. Biochimie 2015; 121:253-67. [PMID: 26717904 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Thalidomide, the notorious teratogen is known to cause various developmental abnormalities, among which a range of eye deformations are very common. From the clinical point of view, it is necessary to pinpoint the mechanisms of teratogens that tune the gene expression. However, to our knowledge, the molecular basis of eye deformities under thalidomide treatmenthas not been reported so far. Present study focuses on the possible mechanism by which thalidomide affects eye development and the role of Nitric Oxide in recovering thalidomide-mediated anomalies of eye development using chick embryo and zebrafish models with transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome analysis showed that 403 genes were up-regulated and 223 genes were down-regulated significantly in thalidomide pre-treated embryos. 8% of the significantly modulated genes have been implicated in eye development including Pax6, OTX2, Dkk1 and Shh. A wide range of biological process and molecular function was affected by thalidomide exposure. Biological Processes including structural constituent of eye lens and Molecular functions such as visual perception and retinal metabolic process formed strong annotation clustersindicating the adverse effects of thalidomide on eye development and function. Here, we have discussed the whole embryo transcriptome with the expression of PAX6, SOX2, and CRYAAgenes from developing eyes. Our experimental data showing structural and functional aspects includingeye size, lens transparency and optic nerve activity and bioinformatics analyses of transcriptome suggest that NO could partially protect thalidomide treated embryos from its devastating effects on eye development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavitra Kumar
- Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dharanibalan Kasiviswanathan
- Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lakshmikirupa Sundaresan
- Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Vimal Veeriah
- Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Priya Dutta
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | | | - Suvro Chatterjee
- Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Abstract
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) has been used throughout the world medically, recreationally and spiritually for thousands of years. In South Africa, from the mid-19th century to the 1920s, practitioners prescribed it for a multitude of conditions. In 1928 it was classified as a Schedule I substance, illegal, and without medical value. Ironically, with this prohibition, cannabis became the most widely used illicit recreational drug, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Cannabis is generally regarded as enjoyable and relaxing without the addictive risks of opioids or stimulants. In alternative medicine circles it has never lost its appeal. To date 23 States in the USA have legalised its medical use despite the federal ban. Unfortunately, little about cannabis is not without controversy. Its main active ingredient, δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was not isolated until 1964, and it was not until the 1990s that the far-reaching modulatory activities of the endocannabinoid system in the human body was studied. This system's elucidation raises the possibility of many promising pharmaceutical applications, even as restrictions show no sign of abating. Recreational use of cannabis continues to increase, despite growing evidence of its addictive potential, particularly in the young. Public approval drives medical cannabis legalisation efforts without the scientific data normally required to justify a new medication's introduction. This review explores these controversies and whether cannabis is a panacea, a scourge, or both.
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Shinde V, Klima S, Sureshkumar PS, Meganathan K, Jagtap S, Rempel E, Rahnenführer J, Hengstler JG, Waldmann T, Hescheler J, Leist M, Sachinidis A. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation. J Vis Exp 2015:e52333. [PMID: 26132533 DOI: 10.3791/52333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient protocols to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells to various tissues in combination with -omics technologies opened up new horizons for in vitro toxicity testing of potential drugs. To provide a solid scientific basis for such assays, it will be important to gain quantitative information on the time course of development and on the underlying regulatory mechanisms by systems biology approaches. Two assays have therefore been tuned here for these requirements. In the UKK test system, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) (or other pluripotent cells) are left to spontaneously differentiate for 14 days in embryoid bodies, to allow generation of cells of all three germ layers. This system recapitulates key steps of early human embryonic development, and it can predict human-specific early embryonic toxicity/teratogenicity, if cells are exposed to chemicals during differentiation. The UKN1 test system is based on hESC differentiating to a population of neuroectodermal progenitor (NEP) cells for 6 days. This system recapitulates early neural development and predicts early developmental neurotoxicity and epigenetic changes triggered by chemicals. Both systems, in combination with transcriptome microarray studies, are suitable for identifying toxicity biomarkers. Moreover, they may be used in combination to generate input data for systems biology analysis. These test systems have advantages over the traditional toxicological studies requiring large amounts of animals. The test systems may contribute to a reduction of the costs for drug development and chemical safety evaluation. Their combination sheds light especially on compounds that may influence neurodevelopment specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | | | | | - Kesavan Meganathan
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | - Smita Jagtap
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | - Eugen Rempel
- Department of Statistics, Technical University of Dortmund
| | | | - Jan Georg Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund
| | | | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | | | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne;
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Kowalski TW, Sanseverino MTV, Schuler-Faccini L, Vianna FSL. Thalidomide embryopathy: Follow-up of cases born between 1959 and 2010. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:794-803. [PMID: 26043318 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalidomide is a known teratogen and it is estimated that more than ten thousand babies were affected by thalidomide embryopathy (TE), which is characterized mainly by limb defects, but can involve many organs and systems. Most people with TE were only evaluated at birth and it is not well established if thalidomide exposure during embryonic development leads to later effects. We analyzed the clinical history of adults with TE to better understand this gap in the clinical findings of TE. METHODS Brazilian individuals with TE were invited to answer a clinical questionnaire which considered family history, social information, medical history, and current clinical and psychological health status. A clinical examination was also performed, including on the infant subjects to evaluate congenital anomalies. The characterization of the features was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS The congenital anomalies caused by thalidomide were reviewed in 28 Brazilian individuals, and the questionnaire was applied to the 23 adult subjects with TE (aged 19 to 55). Progressive deafness and dental loss were reported. From the comparison of TE individuals with the general Brazilian population, the early onset of cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.009) and a higher frequency of psychological disorders (p = 0.011) were observed. CONCLUSION Although there is no sufficient evidence that thalidomide exposure caused or worsened the described events, this approach helps to better understand the TE phenotype, improves the clinical diagnosis, and can lead to adequate health support for these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- PPGBM (Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics, INAGEMP, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Vieira Sanseverino
- PPGBM (Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics, INAGEMP, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lavinia Schuler-Faccini
- PPGBM (Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics, INAGEMP, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- PPGBM (Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Population Medical Genetics, INAGEMP, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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49
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Vargesson N. Thalidomide-induced teratogenesis: history and mechanisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 105:140-56. [PMID: 26043938 PMCID: PMC4737249 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 465] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 60 years ago thalidomide was prescribed to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. What followed was the biggest man‐made medical disaster ever, where over 10,000 children were born with a range of severe and debilitating malformations. Despite this, the drug is now used successfully to treat a range of adult conditions, including multiple myeloma and complications of leprosy. Tragically, a new generation of thalidomide damaged children has been identified in Brazil. Yet, how thalidomide caused its devastating effects in the forming embryo remains unclear. However, studies in the past few years have greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms the drug. This review will look at the history of the drug, and the range and type of damage the drug caused, and outline the mechanisms of action the drug uses including recent molecular advances and new findings. Some of the remaining challenges facing thalidomide biologists are also discussed. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 105:140–156, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Birth Defects Research Part C: Embryo Today: Reviews Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Vargesson
- School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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50
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Shiga T, Shimbo T, Yoshizawa A. Multicenter investigation of lifestyle-related diseases and visceral disorders in thalidomide embryopathy at around 50 years of age. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:787-93. [PMID: 26033770 PMCID: PMC5157726 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background In utero exposure to thalidomide causes a wide range of birth defects, including phocomelia, hearing loss and visceral disorders, known as thalidomide embryopathy (TE). Fifty years after the first report of TE, we conducted the first cross‐sectional multicenter study to investigate the development of lifestyle‐related diseases and identify risk factors for visceral disorders in subjects with TE. Methods Seventy‐six cases with TE (31 men, 45 women) underwent medical examinations between 2011 and 2014 to determine the types of TE‐related anomalies (limbs, auditory organs, or visceral organs) and lifestyle‐related diseases present. Logistic multiple regression analyses, adjusted for gender and age, were conducted between TE and lifestyle‐related diseases and to evaluate association between block vertebra and gallbladder aplasia. Results Fatty liver (FL), nonalcoholic FL disease and dyslipidemia were detected in 52.6%, 35.0%, and 23.7% of subjects, respectively, with higher incidences among men. Dyslipidemia was detected in 40.0% of subjects with FL and was significantly associated with FL (odds ratio = 8.86; p = 0.008). Block vertebrae were detected in 44.4% of subjects with gallbladder aplasia, and this association was significant (odds ratio = 9.96; p = 0.006). Conclusion Subjects with TE have also a risk for lifestyle‐related disease as well as the general Japanese population. In addition, cervical spine radiography and magnetic resonance imaging are recommended to assess block vertebrae in subjects with TE with gallbladder aplasia who develop shoulder pain. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:787–793, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Shiga
- Division of Medical Check-up, Department of General Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Shimbo
- Department of Clinical Study and Informatics Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuto Yoshizawa
- General Internal Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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