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Validation of Recombinant Heparan Sulphate Reagents for CNS Repair. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030407. [PMID: 36979099 PMCID: PMC10044841 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapies that target the multicellular pathology of central nervous system (CNS) disease/injury are urgently required. Modified non-anticoagulant heparins mimic the heparan sulphate (HS) glycan family and have been proposed as therapeutics for CNS repair since they are effective regulators of numerous cellular processes. Our in vitro studies have demonstrated that low-sulphated modified heparan sulphate mimetics (LS-mHeps) drive CNS repair. However, LS-mHeps are derived from pharmaceutical heparin purified from pig intestines, in a supply chain at risk of shortages and contamination. Alternatively, cellular synthesis of heparin and HS can be achieved using mammalian cell multiplex genome engineering, providing an alternative source of recombinant HS mimetics (rHS). TEGA Therapeutics (San Diego) have manufactured rHS reagents with varying degrees of sulphation and we have validated their ability to promote repair in vitro using models that mimic CNS injury, making comparisons to LS-mHep7, a previous lead compound. We have shown that like LS-mHep7, low-sulphated rHS compounds promote remyelination and reduce features of astrocytosis, and in contrast, highly sulphated rHS drive neurite outgrowth. Cellular production of heparin mimetics may, therefore, offer potential clinical benefits for CNS repair.
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Jiang C, Chen Z, Ni S, Fan H, Wang Z, Tian F, An J, Yang H, Hao D. Rho Kinase Inhibitor Y27632 Improves Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury by Shifting Astrocyte Phenotype and Morphology via the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 Pathway. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:3733-3744. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in loss or reduction in motor and sensory functions. Despite extensive research, no available therapy can restore the lost functions after SCI. Reactive astrocytes play a pivotal role in SCI. Rho kinase inhibitors have also been shown to promote functional recovery of SCI. However, the role of Rho kinase inhibitors in reactive astrocytic phenotype switch within SCI remains largely unexplored. In this study, astrocytes were treated with proinflammatory cytokines and/or the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632. Concomitantly the phenotype and morphology of astrocytes were examined. Meanwhile, the SCI model of SD rats was established, and nerve functions were evaluated following treatment with Y27632. Subsequently, the number of A1 astrocytes in the injured area was observed and analyzed. Eventually, the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), C3, and S100A10 were measured. The present study showed that the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 improved functional recovery of SCI and elevated the proliferation and migration abilities of the astrocytes. In addition, Y27632 treatment initiated the switch of astrocytes morphology from a flattened shape to a process-bearing shape and transformed the reactive astrocytes A1 phenotype to an A2 phenotype. More importantly, further investigation suggested that Y27632 was actively involved in promoting the functional recovery of SCI in rats by inhabiting the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 signaling pathway. Together, Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 effectively promotes the functional recovery of SCI by shifting astrocyte phenotype and morphology. Furthermore, the pro-regeneration event is strongly associated with the ROCK/NF-κB/C3 signal pathway.
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3
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Singh A, Behl T, Sehgal A, Singh S, Sharma N, Mani V, Alsubayiel AM, Bhatia S, Al-Harrasi A, Bungau S. Exploring the therapeutic promise of targeting Rho kinase in rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammopharmacology 2021; 29:1641-1651. [PMID: 34704172 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00884-x] [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: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent systemic autoimmune disease caused by dysregulated inflammatory reactions, T lymphocyte invasion into the joints, and articular thickening. Immune cells, primarily tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and chemokines (interleukin or IL-1), which are predominantly generated by activated macrophages cells, have also been involved with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rho GTPases are integral factors of biochemical cascades utilized by antigens, and also by cellular receptors, cytokines, and chemokines, to modulate inflammatory reactions, according to growing data. The Rho family is a group of G proteins that govern a variety of biological and physiological activities such as mobility, actin stress fiber production, growth, and polarity. Research suggests that the Rho A and Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) regulatory cascade could be essential in several autoimmune conditions, including RA. ROCK is activated in the synovial of rheumatoid arthritis patients, while the blocking of ROCK with fasudil could also decrease IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1. This review covers current developments in understanding the overactivation of Rho enzyme activity in RA suppressed by ROCK inhibitors which can be utilized for the treatment of autoimmune disease. We offer an outline of the function of ROCK inhibitors in immune cells and discuss findings which emphasize the rising participation of this category of kinases within the pathological process of autoimmune disorders. Assuming the potential ability of ROCK as a therapeutic, we define approaches that might be used to inhibit Rho kinase activity in rheumatoid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India.
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Vasudevan Mani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal M Alsubayiel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saurabh Bhatia
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman.,School of Health Science, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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4
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Nishimura K, Takata K. Combination of Drugs and Cell Transplantation: More Beneficial Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies Targeting Neurological Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169047. [PMID: 34445753 PMCID: PMC8396512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation therapy using pluripotent/multipotent stem cells has gained attention as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ischemic stroke, and spinal cord injury. To fully realize the potential of cell transplantation therapy, new therapeutic options that increase cell engraftments must be developed, either through modifications to the grafted cells themselves or through changes in the microenvironment surrounding the grafted region. Together these developments could potentially restore lost neuronal function by better supporting grafted cells. In addition, drug administration can improve the outcome of cell transplantation therapy through better accessibility and delivery to the target region following cell transplantation. Here we introduce examples of drug repurposing approaches for more successful transplantation therapies based on preclinical experiments with clinically approved drugs. Drug repurposing is an advantageous drug development strategy because drugs that have already been clinically approved can be repurposed to treat other diseases faster and at lower cost. Therefore, drug repurposing is a reasonable approach to enhance the outcomes of cell transplantation therapies for neurological diseases. Ideal repurposing candidates would result in more efficient cell transplantation therapies and provide a new and beneficial therapeutic combination.
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5
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Yao M, Fang J, Tao W, Feng G, Wei M, Gao Y, Xin W, Li Y, Du S. Modulation of proteoglycan receptor regulates RhoA/CRMP2 pathways and promotes axonal myelination. Neurosci Lett 2021; 760:136079. [PMID: 34166723 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The function of the myelinating system is important because a defective myelin sheath results in various nervous disorders, including multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathies. The dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) is a transitional area between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that is generated by two types of cells-oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells (SCs). It is well known that after injury the extracellular matrix, including the CSPG, impairs axonal myelination by activating protein tyrosine phosphatase-σ (PTPσ) in both cells. The Intracellular Sigma Peptide (ISP) is memetic of the PTPσ wedge region. It competitively binds to PTPσ and regulates the downstream signaling of RhoA. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the ISP increased myelination in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro assay was meant to further verify the in vivo mechanisms. We observed that ISP administration could increase axonal myelination both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we provide evidence that, in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, the myelination-induced effects of ISP application entail an inverse expression of the RhoA/CRMP2 signaling pathway. Overall, our results indicate that the ISP modulation of PTPσ enhances axonal myelination via the RhoA/CRMP2 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jie Fang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Wei Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Gang Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mingyi Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuhao Gao
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Wen Xin
- Beijing TransGen Biotech Co., Ltd, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Shiwei Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Zika Virus Infection Leads to Demyelination and Axonal Injury in Mature CNS Cultures. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010091. [PMID: 33440758 PMCID: PMC7827345 DOI: 10.3390/v13010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how Zika virus (Flaviviridae; ZIKV) affects neural cells is paramount in comprehending pathologies associated with infection. Whilst the effects of ZIKV in neural development are well documented, impact on the adult nervous system remains obscure. Here, we investigated the effects of ZIKV infection in established mature myelinated central nervous system (CNS) cultures. Infection incurred damage to myelinated fibers, with ZIKV-positive cells appearing when myelin damage was first detected as well as axonal pathology, suggesting the latter was a consequence of oligodendroglia infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed host factors that were upregulated during ZIKV infection. One such factor, CCL5, was validated in vitro as inhibiting myelination. Transferred UV-inactivated media from infected cultures did not damage myelin and axons, suggesting that viral replication is necessary to induce the observed effects. These data show that ZIKV infection affects CNS cells even after myelination-which is critical for saltatory conduction and neuronal function-has taken place. Understanding the targets of this virus across developmental stages including the mature CNS, and the subsequent effects of infection of cell types, is necessary to understand effective time frames for therapeutic intervention.
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Y-27632 Induces Neurite Outgrowth by Activating the NOX1-Mediated AKT and PAK1 Phosphorylation Cascades in PC12 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207679. [PMID: 33081375 PMCID: PMC7589331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Y-27632 is known as a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-forming kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Y-27632 has been shown to induce neurite outgrowth in several neuronal cells. However, the precise molecular mechanisms linking neurite outgrowth to Y-27632 are not completely understood. In this study, we examined the ability of Y-27632 to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and evaluated the signaling cascade. The effect of Y-27632 on the neurite outgrowth was inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and trolox. Furthermore, Y-27632-induced neurite outgrowth was not triggered by NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) knockdown or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a NOX inhibitor. Suppression of the Rho-family GTPase Rac1, which is under the negative control of ROCK, with expression of the dominant negative Rac1 mutant (Rac1N17) prevented Y-27632-induced neurite outgrowth. Moreover, the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 prevented Y-27632-induced AKT and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) activation. AKT inhibition with MK2206 suppressed Y-27632-induced PAK1 phosphorylation and neurite outgrowth. In conclusion, our results suggest that Rac1/NOX1-dependent ROS generation and subsequent activation of the AKT/PAK1 cascade contribute to Y-27632-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.
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Lin C, Calzarossa C, Fernandez-Zafra T, Liu J, Li X, Ekblad-Nordberg Å, Vazquez-Juarez E, Codeluppi S, Holmberg L, Lindskog M, Uhlén P, Åkesson E. Human ex vivo spinal cord slice culture as a useful model of neural development, lesion, and allogeneic neural cell therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:320. [PMID: 32727554 PMCID: PMC7390865 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01771-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are multiple promising treatment strategies for central nervous system trauma and disease. However, to develop clinically potent and safe treatments, models of human-specific conditions are needed to complement in vitro and in vivo animal model-based studies. Methods We established human brain stem and spinal cord (cross- and longitudinal sections) organotypic cultures (hOCs) from first trimester tissues after informed consent by donor and ethical approval by the Regional Human Ethics Committee, Stockholm (lately referred to as Swedish Ethical Review Authority), and The National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden. We evaluated the stability of hOCs with a semi-quantitative hOC score, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, Ca2+ signaling, and electrophysiological analysis. We also applied experimental allogeneic human neural cell therapy after injury in the ex vivo spinal cord slices. Results The spinal cord hOCs presented relatively stable features during 7–21 days in vitro (DIV) (except a slightly increased cell proliferation and activated glial response). After contusion injury performed at 7 DIV, a significant reduction of the hOC score, increase of the activated caspase-3+ cell population, and activated microglial populations at 14 days postinjury compared to sham controls were observed. Such elevation in the activated caspase-3+ population and activated microglial population was not observed after allogeneic human neural cell therapy. Conclusions We conclude that human spinal cord slice cultures have potential for future structural and functional studies of human spinal cord development, injury, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhong Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Calzarossa
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi diMilan, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Fernandez-Zafra
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Ekblad-Nordberg
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Div. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erika Vazquez-Juarez
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Codeluppi
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Holmberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Lindskog
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Uhlén
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Departmentof Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,The R&D Unit, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Whitehead MJ, McCanney GA, Willison HJ, Barnett SC. MyelinJ: an ImageJ macro for high throughput analysis of myelinating cultures. Bioinformatics 2020; 35:4528-4530. [PMID: 31095292 PMCID: PMC6821319 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary MyelinJ is a free user friendly ImageJ macro for high throughput analysis of fluorescent micrographs such as 2D-myelinating cultures and statistical analysis using R. MyelinJ can analyse single images or complex experiments with multiple conditions, where the ggpubr package in R is automatically used for statistical analysis and the production of publication quality graphs. The main outputs are percentage (%) neurite density and % myelination. % neurite density is calculated using the normalize local contrast algorithm, followed by thresholding, to adjust for differences in intensity. For % myelination the myelin sheaths are selected using the Frangi vesselness algorithm, in conjunction with a grey scale morphology filter and the removal of cell bodies using a high intensity mask. MyelinJ uses a simple graphical user interface and user name system for reproducibility and sharing that will be useful to the wider scientific community that study 2D-myelination in vitro. Availability and implementation MyelinJ is freely available at https://github.com/BarnettLab/MyelinJ. For statistical analysis the freely available R and the ggpubr package are also required. MyelinJ has a user guide (Supplementary Material) and has been tested on both Windows (Windows 10) and Mac (High Sierra) operating systems. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Whitehead
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - George A McCanney
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hugh J Willison
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Susan C Barnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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10
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Gilmour A, Poole-Warren L, Green RA. An Improved in vitro Model of Cortical Tissue. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1349. [PMID: 31920510 PMCID: PMC6928009 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracortical electrodes for brain-machine interfaces rely on intimate contact with tissues for recording signals and stimulating neurons. However, the long-term viability of intracortical electrodes in vivo is poor, with a major contributing factor being the development of a glial scar. In vivo approaches for evaluating responses to intracortical devices are resource intensive and complex, making statistically significant, high throughput data difficult to obtain. In vitro models provide an alternative to in vivo studies; however, existing approaches have limitations which restrict the translation of the cellular reactions to the implant scenario. Notably, there is no current robust model that includes astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and neurons, the four principle cell types, critical to the health, function and wound responses of the central nervous system (CNS). In previous research a co-culture of primary mouse mature mixed glial cells and immature neural precursor cells were shown to mimic several key properties of the CNS response to implanted electrode materials. However, the method was not robust and took up to 63 days, significantly affecting reproducibility and widespread use for assessing brain-material interactions. In the current research a new co-culture approach has been developed and evaluated using immunocytochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The resulting method reduced the time in culture significantly and the culture model was shown to have a genetic signature similar to that of healthy adult mouse brain. This new robust CNS culture model has the potential to significantly improve the capacity to translate in vitro data to the in vivo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Gilmour
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffiths University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura Poole-Warren
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rylie A Green
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Vojnits K, Mahammad S, Collins TJ, Bhatia M. Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy and Drug Discovery Platform Using Human Sensory Neurons Converted Directly from Adult Peripheral Blood. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:1180-1191. [PMID: 31347791 PMCID: PMC6811699 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.19-0054] [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: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a disorder damaging the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and represents one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, negatively impacting the quality of life of patients to the extent of withdrawing life‐saving chemotherapy dose or duration. Unfortunately, the pathophysiological effects of PN are poorly understood, in part due to the lack of availability of large numbers of human sensory neurons (SNs) for study. Previous reports have demonstrated that human SNs can be directly converted from primitive CD34+ hematopoietic cells, but was limited to a small‐scale product of SNs and derived exclusively from less abundant allogenic sources of cord or drug mobilized peripheral blood (PB). To address this shortcoming, we have developed and report detailed procedures toward the generation of human SN directly converted from conventionally drawn PB of adults that can be used in a high‐content screening platform for discovery‐based studies of chemotherapy agents on neuronal biology. In the absence of mobilization drugs, cryogenically preserved adult human PB could be induced to (i)SN via development through expandable neural precursor differentiation. iSNs could be transferable to high‐throughput procedures suitable for high‐content screening applicable to neuropathy for example, alterations in neurite morphology in response to chemotherapeutics. Our study provides the first reported platform using adult PB‐derived iSNs to study peripheral nervous system‐related neuropathies as well as target and drug screening potential for the ability to prevent, block, or repair chemotherapy‐induced PN damage. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:1180–1191
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Vojnits
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saleemulla Mahammad
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tony J Collins
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mickie Bhatia
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Gulino M, Kim D, Pané S, Santos SD, Pêgo AP. Tissue Response to Neural Implants: The Use of Model Systems Toward New Design Solutions of Implantable Microelectrodes. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:689. [PMID: 31333407 PMCID: PMC6624471 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of implantable neuroelectrodes is advancing rapidly as these tools are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in clinical practice, especially for the treatment of traumatic and neurodegenerative disorders. Electrodes have been exploited in a wide number of neural interface devices, such as deep brain stimulation, which is one of the most successful therapies with proven efficacy in the treatment of diseases like Parkinson or epilepsy. However, one of the main caveats related to the clinical application of electrodes is the nervous tissue response at the injury site, characterized by a cascade of inflammatory events, which culminate in chronic inflammation, and, in turn, result in the failure of the implant over extended periods of time. To overcome current limitations of the most widespread macroelectrode based systems, new design strategies and the development of innovative materials with superior biocompatibility characteristics are currently being investigated. This review describes the current state of the art of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models available for the study of neural tissue response to implantable microelectrodes. We particularly highlight new models with increased complexity that closely mimic in vivo scenarios and that can serve as promising alternatives to animal studies for investigation of microelectrodes in neural tissues. Additionally, we also express our view on the impact of the progress in the field of neural tissue engineering on neural implant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Gulino
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FEUP – Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Donghoon Kim
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL), Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Salvador Pané
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL), Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sofia Duque Santos
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Pêgo
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FEUP – Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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McCanney GA, Lindsay SL, McGrath MA, Willison HJ, Moss C, Bavington C, Barnett SC. The Use of Myelinating Cultures as a Screen of Glycomolecules for CNS Repair. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:biology8030052. [PMID: 31261710 PMCID: PMC6784161 DOI: 10.3390/biology8030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In vitro cell-based assays have been fundamental in modern drug discovery and have led to the identification of novel therapeutics. We have developed complex mixed central nervous system (CNS) cultures, which recapitulate the normal process of myelination over time and allow the study of several parameters associated with CNS damage, both during development and after injury or disease. In particular, they have been used as a reliable screen to identify drug candidates that may promote (re)myelination and/or neurite outgrowth. Previously, using these cultures, we demonstrated that a panel of low sulphated heparin mimetics, with structures similar to heparan sulphates (HSs), can reduce astrogliosis, and promote myelination and neurite outgrowth. HSs reside in either the extracellular matrix or on the surface of cells and are thought to modulate cell signaling by both sequestering ligands, and acting as co-factors in the formation of ligand-receptor complexes. In this study, we have used these cultures as a screen to address the repair potential of numerous other commercially available sulphated glycomolecules, namely heparosans, ulvans, and fucoidans. These compounds are all known to have certain characteristics that mimic cellular glycosaminoglycans, similar to heparin mimetics. We show that the N-sulphated heparosans promoted myelination. However, O-sulphated heparosans did not affect myelination but promoted neurite outgrowth, indicating the importance of structure in HS function. Moreover, neither highly sulphated ulvans nor fucoidans had any effect on remyelination but CX-01, a low sulphated porcine intestinal heparin, promoted remyelination in vitro. These data illustrate the use of myelinating cultures as a screen and demonstrate the potential of heparin mimetics as CNS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A McCanney
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Susan L Lindsay
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Michael A McGrath
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Hugh J Willison
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Claire Moss
- GlycoMar Limited, Malin House, European Marine Science Park, Dunbeg, Oban Argyll, Scotland PA37 1SZ, UK
| | - Charles Bavington
- GlycoMar Limited, Malin House, European Marine Science Park, Dunbeg, Oban Argyll, Scotland PA37 1SZ, UK
| | - Susan C Barnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
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McCanney GA, McGrath MA, Otto TD, Burchmore R, Yates EA, Bavington CD, Willison HJ, Turnbull JE, Barnett SC. Low sulfated heparins target multiple proteins for central nervous system repair. Glia 2019; 67:668-687. [PMID: 30585359 PMCID: PMC6492281 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The lack of endogenous repair following spinal cord injury (SCI) accounts for the frequent permanent deficits for which effective treatments are absent. Previously, we demonstrated that low sulfated modified heparin mimetics (LS-mHeps) attenuate astrocytosis, suggesting they may represent a novel therapeutic approach. mHeps are glycomolecules with structural similarities to resident heparan sulfates (HS), which modulate cell signaling by both sequestering ligands, and acting as cofactors in the formation of ligand-receptor complexes. To explore whether mHeps can affect the myelination and neurite outgrowth necessary for repair after SCI, we created lesioned or demyelinated neural cell co-cultures and exposed them with a panel of mHeps with varying degrees and positions of their sulfate moieties. LS-mHep7 enhanced neurite outgrowth and myelination, whereas highly sulfated mHeps (HS-mHeps) had attenuating effects. LS-mHeps had no effects on myelination or neurite extension in developing, uninjured myelinating cultures, suggesting they might exert their proregenerating effects by modulating or sequestering inhibitory factors secreted after injury. To investigate this, we examined conditioned media from cultures using chemokine arrays and conducted an unbiased proteomics approach by applying TMT-LC/MS to mHep7 affinity purified conditioned media from these cultures. Multiple protein factors reported to play a role in damage or repair mechanisms were identified, including amyloid betaA4. Amyloid beta peptide (1-42) was validated as an important candidate by treating myelination cultures and shown to inhibit myelination. Thus, we propose that LS-mHeps exert multiple beneficial effects on mechanisms supporting enhanced repair, and represent novel candidates as therapeutics for CNS damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A. McCanney
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Michael A. McGrath
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Thomas D. Otto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Richard Burchmore
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Edwin A. Yates
- Department of BiochemistryInstitute of Integrative Biology, University of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Charles D. Bavington
- GlycoMar Limited, European Centre for Marine Biotechnology, Dunstaffnage Marine LaboratoryObanArgyllScotland, UK
| | - Hugh J. Willison
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Jeremy E. Turnbull
- Department of BiochemistryInstitute of Integrative Biology, University of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Susan C. Barnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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Pandamooz S, Salehi MS, Zibaii MI, Safari A, Nabiuni M, Ahmadiani A, Dargahi L. Modeling traumatic injury in organotypic spinal cord slice culture obtained from adult rat. Tissue Cell 2019; 56:90-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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16
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Wang J, Sui RX, Miao Q, Wang Q, Song LJ, Yu JZ, Li YH, Xiao BG, Ma CG. Hydroxyfasudil alleviates demyelination through the inhibition of MOG antibody and microglia activation in cuprizone mouse model. Clin Immunol 2019; 201:35-47. [PMID: 30660624 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system characterized by oligodendrocyte loss and progressive neurodegeneration. The cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelination is widely used to investigate the demyelination/remyelination. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects of Hydroxyfasudil (HF), an active metabolite of Fasudil, in CPZ model. HF improved behavioral abnormality and reduced myelin damage in the corpus callosum. Splenic atrophy and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody were observed in CPZ model, which were partially restored and obviously inhibited by HF, therefore reducing pathogenic binding of MOG antibody to oligodendrocytes. HF inhibited the percentages of CD4+IL-17+ T cells from splenocytes and infiltration of CD4+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages in the brain. HF also declined microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and promoted the production of astrocyte-derived brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and regeneration of NG2+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells. These results provide potent evidence for the therapeutic effects of HF in CPZ-induced demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan030001, China
| | - Ruo-Xuan Sui
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan030024, China
| | - Qiang Miao
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan030024, China
| | - Qing Wang
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan030024, China
| | - Li-Juan Song
- The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan030024, China
| | - Jie-Zhong Yu
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong037009, China
| | - Yan-Hua Li
- Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong037009, China
| | - Bao-Guo Xiao
- Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Cun-Gen Ma
- Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan030001, China; The Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan030024, China; Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong037009, China.
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17
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ROCK inhibition in models of neurodegeneration and its potential for clinical translation. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 189:1-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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18
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Puentes F, van der Star BJ, Boomkamp SD, Kipp M, Boon L, Bosca I, Raffel J, Gnanapavan S, van der Valk P, Stephenson J, Barnett SC, Baker D, Amor S. Neurofilament light as an immune target for pathogenic antibodies. Immunology 2017; 152:580-588. [PMID: 28718500 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies to neuronal antigens are associated with many neurological diseases including paraneoplastic neurological disorders, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Immunization with neuronal antigens such as neurofilament light (NF-L), a neuronal intermediate filament in axons, has been shown to induce neurological disease and spasticity in mice. Also, although antibodies to NF-L are widely used as surrogate biomarkers of axonal injury in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, it remains to be elucidated if antibodies to NF-L contribute to neurodegeneration and neurological disease. To address this, we examined the pathogenic role of antibodies directed to NF-L in vitro using spinal cord co-cultures and in vivo in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and optic neuritis animal models of multiple sclerosis. Here we show that peripheral injections of antibodies to NF-L augmented clinical signs of neurological disease in acute EAE, increased retinal ganglion cell loss in experimental optic neuritis and induced neurological signs following intracerebral injection into control mice. The pathogenicity of antibodies to NF-L was also observed in spinal cord co-cultures where axonal loss was induced. Taken together, our results reveal that as well as acting as reliable biomarkers of neuronal damage, antibodies to NF-L exacerbate neurological disease, suggesting that antibodies to NF-L generated during disease may also be pathogenic and play a role in the progression of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Puentes
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Stephanie D Boomkamp
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Markus Kipp
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Louis Boon
- Bioceros Holdings BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Bosca
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,MS Unit, Neurology Department, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joel Raffel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sharmilee Gnanapavan
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Paul van der Valk
- Pathology Department, Vrije University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jodie Stephenson
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Susan C Barnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David Baker
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sandra Amor
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Pathology Department, Vrije University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ramamurthy P, White JB, Yull Park J, Hume RI, Ebisu F, Mendez F, Takayama S, Barald KF. Concomitant differentiation of a population of mouse embryonic stem cells into neuron-like cells and schwann cell-like cells in a slow-flow microfluidic device. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:7-27. [PMID: 27761977 PMCID: PMC5159187 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To send meaningful information to the brain, an inner ear cochlear implant (CI) must become closely coupled to as large and healthy a population of remaining spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) as possible. Inner ear gangliogenesis depends on macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a directionally attractant neurotrophic cytokine made by both Schwann and supporting cells (Bank et al., 2012). MIF-induced mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)-derived "neurons" could potentially substitute for lost or damaged SGN. mESC-derived "Schwann cells" produce MIF, as do all Schwann cells (Huang et al., a; Roth et al., 2007; Roth et al., 2008) and could attract SGN to a "cell-coated" implant. RESULTS Neuron- and Schwann cell-like cells were produced from a common population of mESCs in an ultra-slow-flow microfluidic device. As the populations interacted, "neurons" grew over the "Schwann cell" lawn, and early events in myelination were documented. Blocking MIF on the Schwann cell side greatly reduced directional neurite outgrowth. MIF-expressing "Schwann cells" were used to coat a CI: Mouse SGN and MIF-induced "neurons" grew directionally to the CI and to a wild-type but not MIF-knockout organ of Corti explant. CONCLUSIONS Two novel stem cell-based approaches for treating the problem of sensorineural hearing loss are described. Developmental Dynamics 246:7-27, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poornapriya Ramamurthy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joshua B White
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joong Yull Park
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Richard I Hume
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fumi Ebisu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Flor Mendez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shuichi Takayama
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kate F Barald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Teixeira FG, Vasconcelos NL, Gomes ED, Marques F, Sousa JC, Sousa N, Silva NA, Assunção-Silva R, Lima R, Salgado AJ. Bioengineered cell culture systems of central nervous system injury and disease. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1456-1463. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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21
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Role of the Rho GTPase/Rho kinase signaling pathway in pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma: Bench to bedside research. Exp Eye Res 2016; 158:23-32. [PMID: 27593914 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered to be a predominant risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma, the most prevalent form of glaucoma. Although the etiological mechanisms responsible for increased IOP are not completely clear, impairment in aqueous humor (AH) drainage through the conventional or trabecular pathway is recognized to be a primary cause in glaucoma patients. Importantly, lowering of IOP has been demonstrated to reduce progression of vision loss and is a mainstay of treatment for all types of glaucoma. Currently however, there are limited therapeutic options available for lowering IOP especially as it relates to enhancement of AH outflow through the trabecular pathway. Towards addressing this challenge, bench and bedside research conducted over the course of the last decade and a half has identified the significance of inhibiting Rho kinase for lowering IOP. Rho kinase is a downstream effector of Rho GTPase signaling that regulates actomyosin dynamics in numerous cell types. Studies from several laboratories have demonstrated that inhibition of Rho kinase lowers IOP via relaxation of the trabecular meshwork which enhances AH outflow. By contrast, activation of Rho GTPase/Rho kinase signaling in the trabecular outflow pathway increases IOP by altering the contractile, cell adhesive and permeability barrier characteristics of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal tissues, and by influencing extracellular matrix production and fibrotic activity. This article, written in honor of the late David Epstein, MD, summarizes findings from both basic and clinical studies that have been instrumental for recognition of the importance of the Rho/Rho kinase signaling pathway in regulation of AH outflow, and in the development of Rho kinase inhibitors as promising IOP- lowering agents for glaucoma treatment.
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Barber A, Farmer K, Martin KR, Smith PD. Retinal regeneration mechanisms linked to multiple cancer molecules: A therapeutic conundrum. Prog Retin Eye Res 2016; 56:19-31. [PMID: 27586058 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, a large number of research articles have been published demonstrating regeneration and/or neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells following manipulation of specific genetic and molecular targets. Interestingly, of the targets that have been identified to promote repair following visual system damage, many are genes known to be mutated in different types of cancer. This review explores recent literature on the potential for modulating cancer genes as a therapeutic strategy for visual system repair and looks at the potential clinical challenges associated with implementing this type of therapy. We also discuss signalling mechanisms that have been implicated in cancer and consider how similar mechanisms may improve axonal regeneration in the optic nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Barber
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Kyle Farmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keith R Martin
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, UK; Medical Research Council - Wellcome Trust Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Patrice D Smith
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Zuo YC, Xiong NX, Shen JY, Yu H, Huang YZ, Zhao HY. MARK2 Rescues Nogo-66-Induced Inhibition of Neurite Outgrowth via Regulating Microtubule-Associated Proteins in Neurons In Vitro. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:2958-2968. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2016-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Kopp MA, Liebscher T, Watzlawick R, Martus P, Laufer S, Blex C, Schindler R, Jungehulsing GJ, Knüppel S, Kreutzträger M, Ekkernkamp A, Dirnagl U, Strittmatter SM, Niedeggen A, Schwab JM. SCISSOR-Spinal Cord Injury Study on Small molecule-derived Rho inhibition: a clinical study protocol. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e010651. [PMID: 27466236 PMCID: PMC4964175 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The approved analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and indometacin block the small GTPase RhoA, a key enzyme that impedes axonal sprouting after axonal damage. Inhibition of the Rho pathway in a central nervous system-effective manner requires higher dosages compared with orthodox cyclooxygenase-blocking effects. Preclinical studies on spinal cord injury (SCI) imply improved motor recovery after ibuprofen/indometacin-mediated Rho inhibition. This has been reassessed by a meta-analysis of the underlying experimental evidence, which indicates an overall effect size of 20.2% regarding motor outcome achieved after ibuprofen/indometacin treatment compared with vehicle controls. In addition, ibuprofen/indometacin may also limit sickness behaviour, non-neurogenic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), neuropathic pain and heterotopic ossifications after SCI. Consequently, 'small molecule'-mediated Rho inhibition after acute SCI warrants clinical investigation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Protocol of an investigator-initiated clinical open-label pilot trial on high-dose ibuprofen treatment after acute traumatic, motor-complete SCI. A sample of n=12 patients will be enrolled in two cohorts treated with 2400 mg/day ibuprofen for 4 or 12 weeks, respectively. The primary safety end point is an occurrence of serious adverse events, primarily gastroduodenal bleedings. Secondary end points are pharmacokinetics, feasibility and preliminary effects on neurological recovery, neuropathic pain and heterotopic ossifications. The primary safety analysis is based on the incidence of severe gastrointestinal bleedings. Additional analyses will be mainly descriptive and casuistic. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The clinical trial protocol was approved by the responsible German state Ethics Board, and the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, the principles of Good Clinical Practice and all further applicable regulations. This safety and pharmacokinetics trial informs the planning of a subsequent randomised controlled trial. Regardless of the result of the primary and secondary outcome assessments, the clinical trial will be reported as a publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02096913; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel A Kopp
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Liebscher
- Treatment Centre for Spinal Cord Injury, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Watzlawick
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Martus
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Blex
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Schindler
- Division of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard J Jungehulsing
- Department of Neurology, Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Knüppel
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
| | - Martin Kreutzträger
- Treatment Centre for Spinal Cord Injury, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Axel Ekkernkamp
- Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics Clinic, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen M Strittmatter
- Department of Neurology, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Andreas Niedeggen
- Treatment Centre for Spinal Cord Injury, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan M Schwab
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany Treatment Centre for Spinal Cord Injury, Trauma Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Division, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA Department of Neuroscience and Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA
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Fu PC, Tang RH, Wan Y, Xie MJ, Wang W, Luo X, Yu ZY. ROCK inhibition with fasudil promotes early functional recovery of spinal cord injury in rats by enhancing microglia phagocytosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 36:31-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s11596-016-1537-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Liu J, Gao HY, Wang XF. The role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in inhibiting axonal regeneration in the central nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:1892-6. [PMID: 26807132 PMCID: PMC4705809 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.170325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) pathway is a major signaling pathway in the central nervous system, transducing inhibitory signals to block regeneration. After central nervous system damage, the main cause of impaired regeneration is the presence of factors that strongly inhibit regeneration in the surrounding microenvironment. These factors signal through the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway to inhibit regeneration. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is crucial for advancing studies on regeneration and repair of the injured central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Neonatology & NICU of Bayi Children's Hospital, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to: Jing Liu, .
| | - Hong-yan Gao
- Department of Neonatology & NICU of Bayi Children's Hospital, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-feng Wang
- Department of Neonatology & NICU of Bayi Children's Hospital, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neonatology, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shangdong Province, China
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Kourdougli N, Varpula S, Chazal G, Rivera C. Detrimental effect of post Status Epilepticus treatment with ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in a pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:413. [PMID: 26557054 PMCID: PMC4615811 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of epilepsy in adults where 20-30% of the patients are refractory to currently available anti-epileptic drugs. The RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway activation has been involved in inflammatory responses, neurite outgrowth and neuronal death under pathological conditions such as epileptic insults. Acute preventive administration of ROCK inhibitor has been reported to have beneficial outcomes in Status Epilepticus (SE) epilepsy. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of chronic post SE treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in a rat pilocarpine model of TLE. We used chronic i.p. injections of Y-27632 for 5 days in 6 week old control rats or rats subjected to pilocarpine treatment as a model of TLE. Surprisingly, our findings demonstrate that a systemic administration of Y-27632 in pilocarpine-treated rats increases neuronal death in the CA3 region and ectopic recurrent mossy fiber sprouting (rMFS) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Interestingly, we found that chronic treatment with Y-27632 exacerbates the down-regulation and pathological distribution of the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter KCC2, thus providing a putative mechanism for post SE induced neuronal death. The involvement of astrogliosis in this mechanism appears to be intricate as ROCK inhibition reduces reactive astrogliosis in pilocarpine rats. Conversely, in control rats, chronic Y-27632 treatment increases astrogliosis. Together, our findings suggest that Y-27632 has a detrimental effect when chronically used post SE in a rat pilocarpine model of TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazim Kourdougli
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
| | - Saara Varpula
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
- Neuroscience Center, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
| | - Genevieve Chazal
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
| | - Claudio Rivera
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
- Neuroscience Center, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
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28
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Rassul SM, Neely RK, Fulton D. Live-imaging in the CNS: New insights on oligodendrocytes, myelination, and their responses to inflammation. Neuropharmacology 2015; 110:594-604. [PMID: 26407765 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The formation and repair of myelin involves alterations in the molecular and physical properties of oligodendrocytes, and highly coordinated interactions with their target axons. Characterising the nature and timing of these events at the molecular and cellular levels illuminates the fundamental events underlying myelin formation, and provides opportunities for the development of therapies to replace myelin lost through traumatic injury and inflammation. The dynamic nature of these events requires that live-imaging methods be used to capture this information accurately and completely. Developments in imaging technologies, and model systems suitable for their application to myelination, have advanced the study of myelin formation, injury and repair. Similarly, new techniques for single molecule imaging, and novel imaging probes, are providing opportunities to resolve the dynamics of myelin proteins during myelination. Here, we explore these developments in the context of myelin formation and injury, identify unmet needs within the field where progress can be advanced through live-imaging approaches, identify technical challenges that are limiting this progress, and highlight practical applications for these approaches that could lead to therapies for the protection of oligodendrocytes and myelin from injury, and restore myelin lost through injury and disease. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Oligodendrocytes in Health and Disease'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed Muhammed Rassul
- Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences Training Programme, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Robert K Neely
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daniel Fulton
- Neurotrauma Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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29
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Roloff F, Scheiblich H, Dewitz C, Dempewolf S, Stern M, Bicker G. Enhanced neurite outgrowth of human model (NT2) neurons by small-molecule inhibitors of Rho/ROCK signaling. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118536. [PMID: 25714396 PMCID: PMC4340918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal injury in the adult human central nervous system often results in loss of sensation and motor functions. Promoting regeneration of severed axons requires the inactivation of growth inhibitory influences from the tissue environment and stimulation of the neuron intrinsic growth potential. Especially glial cell derived factors, such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, Nogo-A, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin in general, prevent axon regeneration. Most of the glial growth inhibiting factors converge onto the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in neurons. Although conditions in the injured nervous system are clearly different from those during neurite outgrowth in vitro, here we use a chemical approach to manipulate Rho/ROCK signalling with small-molecule agents to encourage neurite outgrowth in cell culture. The development of therapeutic treatments requires drug testing not only on neurons of experimental animals, but also on human neurons. Using human NT2 model neurons, we demonstrate that the pain reliever Ibuprofen decreases RhoA (Ras homolog gene family, member A GTPase) activation and promotes neurite growth. Inhibition of the downstream effector Rho kinase by the drug Y-27632 results in a strong increase in neurite outgrowth. Conversely, activation of the Rho pathway by lysophosphatidic acid results in growth cone collapse and eventually to neurite retraction. Finally, we show that blocking of Rho kinase, but not RhoA results in an increase in neurons bearing neurites. Due to its anti-inflammatory and neurite growth promoting action, the use of a pharmacological treatment of damaged neural tissue with Ibuprofen should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Roloff
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hannah Scheiblich
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carola Dewitz
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Dempewolf
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Stern
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerd Bicker
- Division of Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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30
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Rinklin P, Afanasenkau D, Wiegand S, Offenhäusser A, Wolfrum B. Inducing microscopic thermal lesions for the dissection of functional cell networks on a chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:237-243. [PMID: 25358015 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00805g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We present a versatile chip-based method to inflict microscopic lesions on cellular networks or tissue models. Our approach relies on resistive heating of microstructured conductors to impose highly localized thermal stress on specific regions of a cell network. We show that networks can be precisely dissected into individual subnetworks using a microwire crossbar array. To this end, we pattern a network of actively beating cardiomyocyte-like cells into smaller subunits by inflicting thermal damage along selected wires of the array. We then investigate the activity and functional connectivity of the individual subnetworks using a Ca(2+) imaging-based signal propagation analysis. Our results demonstrate the efficient separation of functional activity between individual subnetworks on a microscopic level. We believe that the presented technique may become a powerful tool for investigating lesion and regeneration models in cellular networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Rinklin
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich and JARA - Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
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31
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Vieira de Castro AC, Olsson IAS. Does the goal justify the methods? Harm and benefit in neuroscience research using animals. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 19:47-78. [PMID: 24844681 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2014_319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the present chapter is to open up for discussion some of the major ethical issues involved in animal-based neuroscience research. We begin by approaching the question of the moral acceptability of the use of animals in research at all, exploring the implications of three different ethical theories: contractarianism, utilitarianism, and animal rights. In the rest of this chapter, we discuss more specific issues of neuroscience research within what we argue is the mainstream framework for research animal ethics, namely one based on harm-benefit analysis. We explore issues of harms and benefits and how to balance them as well as how to reduce harm and increase benefit within neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Vieira de Castro
- Laboratory Animal Science Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Boomkamp SD, McGrath MA, Houslay MD, Barnett SC. Epac and the high affinity rolipram binding conformer of PDE4 modulate neurite outgrowth and myelination using an in vitro spinal cord injury model. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:2385-98. [PMID: 24467222 PMCID: PMC3997278 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose cAMP and pharmacological inhibition of PDE4, which degrades it, are promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Using our previously described in vitro SCI model, we studied the mechanisms by which cAMP modulators promote neurite outgrowth and myelination using enantiomers of the PDE4-specific inhibitor rolipram and other modulators of downstream signalling effectors. Experimental Approach Rat mixed neural cell myelinating cultures were cut with a scalpel and treated with enantiomers of the PDE4-specific inhibitor rolipram, Epac agonists and PKA antagonists. Neurite outgrowth, density and myelination were assessed by immunocytochemistry and cytokine levels analysed by qPCR. Key Results Inhibition of the high-affinity rolipram-binding state (HARBS), rather than the low-affinity rolipram binding state (LARBS) PDE4 conformer promoted neurite outgrowth and myelination. These effects were mediated through the activation of Epac and not through PKA. Expression of the chemokine CXCL10, known to inhibit myelination, was markedly elevated in astrocytes after Rho inhibition and this was blocked by inhibition of Rho kinase or PDE4. Conclusions and Implications PDE4 inhibitors targeted at the HARBS conformer or Epac agonists may provide promising novel targets for the treatment of SCI. Our study demonstrates the differential mechanisms of action of these compounds, as well as the benefit of a combined pharmacological approach and highlighting potential promising targets for the treatment of SCI. These findings need to be confirmed in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Boomkamp
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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33
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Stankiewicz TR, Linseman DA. Rho family GTPases: key players in neuronal development, neuronal survival, and neurodegeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:314. [PMID: 25339865 PMCID: PMC4187614 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho family of GTPases belongs to the Ras superfamily of low molecular weight (∼21 kDa) guanine nucleotide binding proteins. The most extensively studied members are RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42. In the last few decades, studies have demonstrated that Rho family GTPases are important regulatory molecules that link surface receptors to the organization of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Indeed, Rho GTPases mediate many diverse critical cellular processes, such as gene transcription, cell–cell adhesion, and cell cycle progression. However, Rho GTPases also play an essential role in regulating neuronal morphology. In particular, Rho GTPases regulate dendritic arborization, spine morphogenesis, growth cone development, and axon guidance. In addition, more recent efforts have underscored an important function for Rho GTPases in regulating neuronal survival and death. Interestingly, Rho GTPases can exert either a pro-survival or pro-death signal in neurons depending upon both the cell type and neurotoxic insult involved. This review summarizes key findings delineating the involvement of Rho GTPases and their effectors in the regulation of neuronal survival and death. Collectively, these results suggest that dysregulation of Rho family GTPases may potentially underscore the etiology of some forms of neurodegenerative disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha R Stankiewicz
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Denver, CO, USA ; Department of Biological Sciences and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, University of Denver Denver, CO, USA
| | - Daniel A Linseman
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Denver, CO, USA ; Department of Biological Sciences and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, University of Denver Denver, CO, USA ; Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine and Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Denver Aurora, CO, USA
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34
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Pedraza CE, Taylor C, Pereira A, Seng M, Tham CS, Izrael M, Webb M. Induction of oligodendrocyte differentiation and in vitro myelination by inhibition of rho-associated kinase. ASN Neuro 2014; 6:6/4/1759091414538134. [PMID: 25289646 PMCID: PMC4189421 DOI: 10.1177/1759091414538134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin
degradation results in loss of axonal function and eventual axonal degeneration.
Differentiation of resident oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) leading to
remyelination of denuded axons occurs regularly in early stages of MS but halts as
the pathology transitions into progressive MS. Pharmacological potentiation of
endogenous OPC maturation and remyelination is now recognized as a promising
therapeutic approach for MS. In this study, we analyzed the effects of modulating the
Rho-A/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway, by the use of selective
inhibitors of ROCK, on the transformation of OPCs into mature, myelinating
oligodendrocytes. Here we demonstrate, with the use of cellular cultures from rodent
and human origin, that ROCK inhibition in OPCs results in a significant generation of
branches and cell processes in early differentiation stages, followed by accelerated
production of myelin protein as an indication of advanced maturation. Furthermore,
inhibition of ROCK enhanced myelin formation in cocultures of human OPCs and neurons
and remyelination in rat cerebellar tissue explants previously demyelinated with
lysolecithin. Our findings indicate that by direct inhibition of this signaling
molecule, the OPC differentiation program is activated resulting in morphological and
functional cell maturation, myelin formation, and regeneration. Altogether, we show
evidence of modulation of the Rho-A/ROCK signaling pathway as a viable target for the
induction of remyelination in demyelinating pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Pedraza
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
| | | | - Albertina Pereira
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Seng
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Chui-Se Tham
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Webb
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
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35
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An in vitro spinal cord injury model to screen neuroregenerative materials. Biomaterials 2014; 35:3756-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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36
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Cui G, Zuo T, Zhao Q, Hu J, Jin P, Zhao H, Jing J, Zhu J, Chen H, Liu B, Hua F, Ye X. ROCK mediates the inflammatory response in thrombin induced microglia. Neurosci Lett 2013; 554:82-7. [PMID: 24021807 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To investigate whether the ROCK pathway is involved in thrombin-induced microglial inflammatory response, thrombin-induced microglia were pretreated with the thrombin inhibitor argatroban or a ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. Microglial inflammatory response was evaluated by phagocytosis of fluorescein labeled latex beads analyses and inflammatory mediators' expression such as nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-а). Compared to non-induced microglia, thrombin-induced microglia show significantly enhanced phagocytotic capacity and increased ROCK, NO and TNF-а expression. Pretreatment of thrombin-induced microglia with argatroban or Y-27632 significantly decreased phagocytotic capacity and reduced ROCK, NO and TNF-α expression. Therefore, the ROCK pathway may play a vital role in the mechanisms by which thrombin induces microglia in the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiyun Cui
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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37
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Donoghue PS, Lamond R, Boomkamp SD, Sun T, Gadegaard N, Riehle MO, Barnett SC. The Development of a ɛ-Polycaprolactone Scaffold for Central Nervous System Repair. Tissue Eng Part A 2013; 19:497-507. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2012.0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Donoghue
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Lamond
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie D. Boomkamp
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Tao Sun
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an JiaoTong-Liverpool University, People's Republic China
| | - Nikolaj Gadegaard
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mathis O. Riehle
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Susan C. Barnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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38
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Lindsay SL, Johnstone SA, Mountford JC, Sheikh S, Allan DB, Clark L, Barnett SC. Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from olfactory biopsies but not bone enhance CNS myelination in vitro. Glia 2012; 61:368-82. [PMID: 23281012 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with limited capacity for repair. Cell transplantation is a potential strategy to promote SCI repair with cells from the olfactory system being promising candidates. Although transplants of human olfactory mucosa (OM) are already ongoing in clinical trials, the repair potential of this tissue remains unclear. Previously, we identified mesenchymal-like stem cells that reside in the lamina propria (LP-MSCs) of rat and human OM. Little is known about these cells or their interactions with glia such as olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which would be co-transplanted with MSCs from the OM, or endogenous CNS glia such as oligodendrocytes. We have characterized, purified, and assessed the repair potential of human LP-MSCs by investigating their effect on glial cell biology with specific emphasis on CNS myelination in vitro. Purified LP-MSCs expressed typical bone marrow MSC (BM-MSC) markers, formed spheres, were clonogenic and differentiated into bone and fat. LP-MSC conditioned medium (CM) promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) and OEC proliferation and induced a highly branched morphology. LP-MSC-CM treatment caused OEC process extension. Both LP and BM-MSCs promoted OPC proliferation and differentiation, but only myelinating cultures treated with CM from LP and not BM-MSCs had a significant increase in myelination. Comparison with fibroblasts and contaminating OM fibroblast like-cells showed the promyelination effect was LP-MSC specific. Thus LP-MSCs harvested from human OM biopsies may be an important candidate for cell transplantation by contributing to the repair of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Lindsay
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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39
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Raad M, El Tal T, Gul R, Mondello S, Zhang Z, Boustany RM, Guingab J, Wang KK, Kobeissy F. Neuroproteomics approach and neurosystems biology analysis: ROCK inhibitors as promising therapeutic targets in neurodegeneration and neurotrauma. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:3659-68. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Raad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; Faculty of Medicine; American University of Beirut; Beirut; Lebanon
| | - Tala El Tal
- Faculty of Medicine; American University of Beirut; Beirut; Lebanon
| | - Rukhsana Gul
- Department of Internal Medicine; Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Medical Center; University of Missouri; Columbia; MO; USA
| | - Stefania Mondello
- Center of Innovative Research Banyan Biomarkers Inc.; Alachua; FL; USA
| | - Zhiqun Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Florida; Gainesville; FL; USA
| | | | - Joy Guingab
- Center of Innovative Research Banyan Biomarkers Inc.; Alachua; FL; USA
| | - Kevin K. Wang
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Florida; Gainesville; FL; USA
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