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Niyonzima YB, Asato Y, Kadokawa H. Alpha-synuclein expression in oxytocin neurons of young and old bovine brains. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:213-222. [PMID: 38684411 PMCID: PMC11310384 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2024-020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding of central nervous system mechanisms underlying age-related infertility remains limited. Fibril α-synuclein, distinct from its monomeric form, is implicated in age-related diseases. Notably, fibril α-synuclein spreads among neurons, similar to prions, from damaged old neurons in cortex and hippocampus to healthy neurons. However, less is known whether α-synuclein propagates into oxytocin neurons, which play crucial roles in reproduction. We compared α-synuclein expression in the oxytocin neurons in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), and posterior pituitary (PP) gland of healthy heifers and aged cows to determine its role in age-related infertility. We analyzed mRNA and protein expression, along with Congo red histochemistry and fluorescent immunohistochemistry for oxytocin and α-synuclein, followed by confocal microscopy with Congo red staining. Both mRNA and protein expressions of α-synuclein were confirmed in the bovine cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues. Significant differences in α-synuclein mRNA expressions were observed in the cortex and hippocampus between young heifers and old cows. Western blots showed five bands of α-synuclein, probably reflecting monomers, dimers, and oligomers, in the cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues, and there were significant differences in some bands between the young heifers and old cows. Bright-field and polarized light microscopy did not detect obvious amyloid deposition in the aged hypothalami; however, higher-sensitive confocal microscopy unveiled strong positive signals for Congo red and α-synuclein in oxytocin neurons in the aged hypothalami. α-synuclein was expressed in oxytocin neurons, and some differences were observed between young and old hypothalami.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuuki Asato
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kadokawa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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2
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Duranti E, Villa C. Insights into Dysregulated Neurological Biomarkers in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2680. [PMID: 39123408 PMCID: PMC11312413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152680] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The link between neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and cancer has generated greater interest in biomedical research, with decades of global studies investigating neurodegenerative biomarkers in cancer to better understand possible connections. Tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein, SOD1, TDP-43, and other proteins associated with nervous system diseases have also been identified in various types of solid and malignant tumors, suggesting a potential overlap in pathological processes. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of current evidence on the role of these proteins in cancer, specifically examining their effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, and tumor progression. Additionally, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this interconnection, emphasizing the importance of further research to completely comprehend the clinical implications of these proteins in tumors. Finally, we explore the challenges and opportunities in targeting these proteins for the development of new targeted anticancer therapies, providing insight into how to integrate knowledge of NDs in oncology research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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3
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Ascsillán AA, Kemény LV. The Skin-Brain Axis: From UV and Pigmentation to Behaviour Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6199. [PMID: 38892387 PMCID: PMC11172643 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The skin-brain axis has been suggested to play a role in several pathophysiological conditions, including opioid addiction, Parkinson's disease and many others. Recent evidence suggests that pathways regulating skin pigmentation may directly and indirectly regulate behaviour. Conversely, CNS-driven neural and hormonal responses have been demonstrated to regulate pigmentation, e.g., under stress. Additionally, due to the shared neuroectodermal origins of the melanocytes and neurons in the CNS, certain CNS diseases may be linked to pigmentation-related changes due to common regulators, e.g., MC1R variations. Furthermore, the HPA analogue of the skin connects skin pigmentation to the endocrine system, thereby allowing the skin to index possible hormonal abnormalities visibly. In this review, insight is provided into skin pigment production and neuromelanin synthesis in the brain and recent findings are summarised on how signalling pathways in the skin, with a particular focus on pigmentation, are interconnected with the central nervous system. Thus, this review may supply a better understanding of the mechanism of several skin-brain associations in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Ascsillán
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-SU Translational Dermatology Research Group, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Lajos V. Kemény
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-SU Translational Dermatology Research Group, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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4
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Surguchov A, Surguchev AA. Association between Parkinson's Disease and Cancer: New Findings and Possible Mediators. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3899. [PMID: 38612708 PMCID: PMC11011322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence points to an inverse association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and almost all cancers except melanoma, for which this association is positive. The results of multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with PD are at reduced risk for the majority of neoplasms. Several potential biological explanations exist for the inverse relationship between cancer and PD. Recent results identified several PD-associated proteins and factors mediating cancer development and cancer-associated factors affecting PD. Accumulating data point to the role of genetic traits, members of the synuclein family, neurotrophic factors, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, circulating melatonin, and transcription factors as mediators. Here, we present recent data about shared pathogenetic factors and mediators that might be involved in the association between these two diseases. We discuss how these factors, individually or in combination, may be involved in pathology, serve as links between PD and cancer, and affect the prevalence of these disorders. Identification of these factors and investigation of their mechanisms of action would lead to the discovery of new targets for the treatment of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Surguchov
- Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Alexei A Surguchev
- Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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5
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Flores-Torres MH, Bjornevik K, Zhang X, Gao X, Hung AY, Schwarzschild MA, Chen X, Ascherio A. Hair color, family history of melanoma, and the risk of Parkinson's disease: An analysis update. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2024; 119:105965. [PMID: 38142631 PMCID: PMC10843649 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A shared biological component between melanoma and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been suggested. Yet, epidemiological evidence is scarce. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of hair color and family history of melanoma, two strong predictors of melanoma risk, with the occurrence of PD. METHODS We followed 131,342 women and men for ∼30 years for the development of PD. We calculated the cumulative incidence of PD from ages 40 to 90 according to hair color, and estimated the hazard ratio of PD according to hair color and family history of melanoma. RESULTS Hair color was not strongly associated with the risk of PD, especially at advanced ages. In contrast, individuals with a family history of melanoma had a 1.4-fold higher risk of PD compared to those without a history. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis of a shared biological component between PD and melanoma. Both pigmentary and non-pigmentary pathways may play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario H Flores-Torres
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kjetil Bjornevik
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinyuan Zhang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Institute of Nutrition, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Albert Y Hung
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Schwarzschild
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiqun Chen
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Ascherio
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Arnold MR, Cohn GM, Oxe KC, Elliott SN, Moore C, Laraia PV, Shekoohi S, Brownell D, Meshul CK, Witt SN, Larsen DH, Unni VK. Alpha-synuclein regulates nucleolar DNA double-strand break repair in melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.13.575526. [PMID: 38260370 PMCID: PMC10802588 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.13.575526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Although an increased risk of the skin cancer melanoma in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) has been shown in multiple studies, the mechanisms involved are poorly understood, but increased expression of the PD-associated protein alpha-synuclein (αSyn) in melanoma cells may be important. Our previous work suggests that αSyn can facilitate DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, promoting genomic stability. We now show that αSyn is preferentially enriched within the nucleolus in the SK-MEL28 melanoma cell line, where it colocalizes with DNA damage markers and DSBs. Inducing DSBs specifically within nucleolar ribosomal DNA (rDNA) increases αSyn levels near sites of damage. αSyn knockout increases DNA damage within the nucleolus at baseline, after specific rDNA DSB induction, and prolongs the rate of recovery from this induced damage. αSyn is important downstream of ATM signaling to facilitate 53BP1 recruitment to DSBs, reducing micronuclei formation and promoting cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriah R. Arnold
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Neurology and Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gabriel M. Cohn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kezia Catharina Oxe
- Danish Cancer Institute, Nucleolar Stress and Disease Group, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Somarr N. Elliott
- Department of Neurology and Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cynthia Moore
- Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Sahar Shekoohi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Dillon Brownell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Charles K. Meshul
- Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience and Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Stephan N. Witt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Dorthe H. Larsen
- Danish Cancer Institute, Nucleolar Stress and Disease Group, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vivek K. Unni
- Department of Neurology and Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- OHSU Parkinson’s Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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7
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Hu L, Shi Y, Zou X, Lai Z, Lin F, Cai G, Liu X. Association of time spent outdoors with the risk of Parkinson's disease: a prospective cohort study of 329,359 participants. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:10. [PMID: 38166701 PMCID: PMC10759452 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03499-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the association between time spent outdoors and the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) are lacking, and whether this relationship differs in different subgroups (age, sex) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE We here examined the association between time spent outdoors and the incidence of PD in different seasons. METHODS This study included 329,359 participants from the UK Biobank. Data regarding hours spent outdoors during a typical day were obtained through questionnaires. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between exposure to outdoors duration and PD incidence. Restricted cubic spline was used to explore the potential nonlinear relationship between time spent outdoors and PD risk. To explore the potential mechanisms of time spent outdoors effecting the risk of PD incidence, their association with serum vitamin D was further analysed separately. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 13.57 years, 2,238 participants developed PD. In summer, time spent outdoors > 5.0 h/day was associated with a reduced PD risk compared with ≤ 2.0 h/day (HR = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.74-0.95). In winter too, time spent outdoors > 2.0 h/day was also associated with a reduced PD risk compared with ≤ 1.0 h/day (HR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.76-0.94). For annual average time spent outdoors, participants who went outdoors for more than 3.5 h/day had a reduced PD risk than those who went outdoors for ≤ 1.5 h/day (HR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.75-0.96). Additionally, sex and age differences were observed in the association between time spent outdoors and the PD risk. Moreover, Time spent outdoors was observed to be positively associated with serum vitamin D levels. Compared with serum vitamin D-deficient participants, the risk of PD was reduced by 15% in the sufficient participants. CONCLUSION In the total population, higher time spent outdoors was linked to a reduced PD risk. However, this association may vary among different age or sex groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hu
- Department of Neurology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, No.16 Meiguan Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, 341000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yisen Shi
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Geriatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China
- Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Xinyang Zou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Geriatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China
- Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zhaohui Lai
- Department of Neurology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, No.16 Meiguan Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, 341000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fabin Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
| | - Guoen Cai
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Geriatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
| | - Xianghong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, No.16 Meiguan Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, 341000, Jiangxi, China.
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8
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Chocarro J, Rico AJ, Ariznabarreta G, Roda E, Honrubia A, Collantes M, Peñuelas I, Vázquez A, Rodríguez-Pérez AI, Labandeira-García JL, Vila M, Lanciego JL. Neuromelanin accumulation drives endogenous synucleinopathy in non-human primates. Brain 2023; 146:5000-5014. [PMID: 37769648 PMCID: PMC10689915 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although neuromelanin is a dark pigment characteristic of dopaminergic neurons in the human substantia nigra pars compacta, its potential role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) has often been neglected since most commonly used laboratory animals lack neuromelanin. Here we took advantage of adeno-associated viral vectors encoding the human tyrosinase gene for triggering a time-dependent neuromelanin accumulation within substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons in macaques up to similar levels of pigmentation as observed in elderly humans. Furthermore, neuromelanin accumulation induced an endogenous synucleinopathy mimicking intracellular inclusions typically observed in PD together with a progressive degeneration of neuromelanin-expressing dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, Lewy body-like intracellular inclusions were observed in cortical areas of the frontal lobe receiving dopaminergic innervation, supporting a circuit-specific anterograde spread of endogenous synucleinopathy by permissive trans-synaptic templating. In summary, the conducted strategy resulted in the development and characterization of a new macaque model of PD matching the known neuropathology of this disorder with unprecedented accuracy. Most importantly, evidence is provided showing that intracellular aggregation of endogenous α-synuclein is triggered by neuromelanin accumulation, therefore any therapeutic approach intended to decrease neuromelanin levels may provide appealing choices for the successful implementation of novel PD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Chocarro
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Alberto J Rico
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Goiaz Ariznabarreta
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Elvira Roda
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Adriana Honrubia
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - María Collantes
- Translational Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iván Peñuelas
- Translational Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Vázquez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Servicio Navarro de Salud, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana I Rodríguez-Pérez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José L Labandeira-García
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miquel Vila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Neurodegenerative Diseses Research Group, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José L Lanciego
- CNS Gene Therapy Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (Ciberned-ISCIII), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Aligning Science Across Parkinsons’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
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Huang M, Ma J, An G, Ye X. Unravelling cancer subtype-specific driver genes in single-cell transcriptomics data with CSDGI. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011450. [PMID: 38096269 PMCID: PMC10754467 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is known as a heterogeneous disease. Cancer driver genes (CDGs) need to be inferred for understanding tumor heterogeneity in cancer. However, the existing computational methods have identified many common CDGs. A key challenge exploring cancer progression is to infer cancer subtype-specific driver genes (CSDGs), which provides guidane for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancer. The significant advancements in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have opened up new possibilities for studying human cancers at the individual cell level. In this study, we develop a novel unsupervised method, CSDGI (Cancer Subtype-specific Driver Gene Inference), which applies Encoder-Decoder-Framework consisting of low-rank residual neural networks to inferring driver genes corresponding to potential cancer subtypes at the single-cell level. To infer CSDGs, we apply CSDGI to the tumor single-cell transcriptomics data. To filter the redundant genes before driver gene inference, we perform the differential expression genes (DEGs). The experimental results demonstrate CSDGI is effective to infer driver genes that are cancer subtype-specific. Functional and disease enrichment analysis shows these inferred CSDGs indicate the key biological processes and disease pathways. CSDGI is the first method to explore cancer driver genes at the cancer subtype level. We believe that it can be a useful method to understand the mechanisms of cell transformation driving tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Huang
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Jiangtao Ma
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- School of Engineering, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - Guangqi An
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Xiucai Ye
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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10
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Huang M, Long C, Ma J. AAFL: automatic association feature learning for gene signature identification of cancer subtypes in single-cell RNA-seq data. Brief Funct Genomics 2023; 22:420-427. [PMID: 37122141 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have enabled the study of human cancers in individual cells, which explores the cellular heterogeneity and the genotypic status of tumors. Gene signature identification plays an important role in the precise classification of cancer subtypes. However, most existing gene selection methods only select the same informative genes for each subtype. In this study, we propose a novel gene selection method, automatic association feature learning (AAFL), which automatically identifies different gene signatures for different cell subpopulations (cancer subtypes) at the same time. The proposed AAFL method combines the residual network with the low-rank network, which selects genes that are most associated with the corresponding cell subpopulations. Moreover, the differential expression genes are acquired before gene selection to filter the redundant genes. We apply the proposed feature learning method to the real cancer scRNA-seq data sets (melanoma) to identify cancer subtypes and detect gene signatures of identified cancer subtypes. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can automatically identify different gene signatures for identified cancer subtypes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis shows that the identified gene signatures of different subtypes reveal the key biological processes and pathways. These gene signatures are expected to bring important implications for understanding cellular heterogeneity and the complex ecosystem of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Huang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 3058577, Japan
| | - Changzhou Long
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 3058577, Japan
| | - Jiangtao Ma
- Department of Automation, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- School of Engineering, Dali University, Dali, 671000, China
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11
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Naskar S, Gour N. Realization of Amyloid-like Aggregation as a Common Cause for Pathogenesis in Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1523. [PMID: 37511898 PMCID: PMC10381831 DOI: 10.3390/life13071523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids were conventionally referred to as extracellular and intracellular accumulation of Aβ42 peptide, which causes the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles inside the brain leading to the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, amyloid-like deposition was found in the etiology of prion diseases, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, which was attributed to the aggregation of prion protein, α-Synuclein, islet amyloid polypeptide protein, and p53 protein, respectively. Hence, traditionally amyloids were considered aggregates formed exclusively by proteins or peptides. However, since the last decade, it has been discovered that other metabolites, like single amino acids, nucleobases, lipids, glucose derivatives, etc., have a propensity to form amyloid-like toxic assemblies. Several studies suggest direct implications of these metabolite assemblies in the patho-physiology of various inborn errors of metabolisms like phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, cystinuria, and Gaucher's disease, to name a few. In this review, we present a comprehensive literature overview that suggests amyloid-like structure formation as a common phenomenon for disease progression and pathogenesis in multiple syndromes. The review is devoted to providing readers with a broad knowledge of the structure, mode of formation, propagation, and transmission of different extracellular amyloids and their implications in the pathogenesis of diseases. We strongly believe a review on this topic is urgently required to create awareness about the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanism behind the origin of diseases from an amyloid perspective and possibly look for a common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these maladies by designing generic amyloid inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumick Naskar
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
| | - Nidhi Gour
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
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12
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Zanotti LC, Malizia F, Cesatti Laluce N, Avila A, Mamberto M, Anselmino LE, Menacho-Márquez M. Synuclein Proteins in Cancer Development and Progression. Biomolecules 2023; 13:980. [PMID: 37371560 PMCID: PMC10296229 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleins are a family of small, soluble proteins mainly expressed in neural tissue and in certain tumors. Since their discovery, tens of thousands of scientific reports have been published about this family of proteins as they are associated with severe human diseases. Although the physiological function of these proteins is still elusive, their relationship with neurodegeneration and cancer has been clearly described over the years. In this review, we summarize data connecting synucleins and cancer, going from the structural description of these molecules to their involvement in tumor-related processes, and discuss the putative use of these proteins as cancer molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía C. Zanotti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Florencia Malizia
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nahuel Cesatti Laluce
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aylén Avila
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Macarena Mamberto
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luciano E. Anselmino
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mauricio Menacho-Márquez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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13
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Gajendran N, Rajasekaran S, Witt SN. Knocking out alpha-synuclein in melanoma cells downregulates L1CAM and decreases motility. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9243. [PMID: 37286800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Parkinson's disease (PD) associated protein, alpha-synuclein (α-syn/SNCA), is highly expressed in aggressive melanomas. The goal of this study was to reveal possible mechanism(s) of α-syn involvement in melanoma pathogenesis. Herein, we asked whether α-syn modulates the expression of the pro-oncogenic adhesion molecules L1CAM and N-cadherin. We used two human melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-29), SNCA-knockout (KO) clones, and two human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. In the melanoma lines, loss of α-syn expression resulted in significant decreases in the expression of L1CAM and N-cadherin and concomitant significant decreases in motility. On average, there was a 75% reduction in motility in the four SNCA-KOs tested compared to control cells. Strikingly, comparing neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that have no detectable α-syn to SH-SY5Y cells that stably express α-syn (SH/+αS), we found that expressing α-syn increased L1CAM and single-cell motility by 54% and 597%, respectively. The reduction in L1CAM level in SNCA-KO clones was not due to a transcriptional effect, rather we found that L1CAM is more efficiently degraded in the lysosome in SNCA-KO clones than in control cells. We propose that α-syn is pro-survival to melanoma (and possibly neuroblastoma) because it promotes the intracellular trafficking of L1CAM to the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithya Gajendran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, USA
| | - Santhanasabapathy Rajasekaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, USA
| | - Stephan N Witt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, USA.
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, USA.
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14
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Giuliano C, Cerri S, Cesaroni V, Blandini F. Relevance of Biochemical Deep Phenotyping for a Personalised Approach to Parkinson's Disease. Neuroscience 2023; 511:100-109. [PMID: 36572171 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.12.019] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal tract. The identification of disease-modifying therapies is the Holy Grail of PD research, but to date no drug has been approved as such a therapy. A possible reason is the remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity of PD patients, which can generate confusion in the interpretation of results or even mask the efficacy of a therapeutic intervention. This heterogeneity should be taken into account in clinical trials, stratifying patients by their expected response to drugs designed to engage selected molecular targets. In this setting, stratification methods (clinical and genetic) should be supported by biochemical phenotyping of PD patients, in line with the deep phenotyping concept. Collection, from single patients, of a range of biological samples would streamline the generation of these profiles. Several studies have proposed biochemical characterisations of patient cohorts based on analysis of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, saliva and skin biopsy samples, with extracellular vesicles attracting increasing interest as a source of biomarkers. In this review we report and critically discuss major studies that used a biochemical approach to stratify their PD cohorts. The analyte most studied is α-synuclein, while other studies have focused on neurofilament light chain, lysosomal proteins, inflammasome-related proteins, LRRK2 and the urinary proteome. At present, stratification of PD patients, while promising, is still a nascent approach. Deep phenotyping of patients will allow clinical researchers to identify homogeneous subgroups for the investigation of tailored disease-modifying therapies, enhancing the chances of therapeutic success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Giuliano
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerri
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Cesaroni
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Blandini
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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15
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Krainc T, Monje MHG, Kinsinger M, Bustos BI, Lubbe SJ. Melanin and Neuromelanin: Linking Skin Pigmentation and Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2023; 38:185-195. [PMID: 36350228 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) are the most vulnerable neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent work suggests that the accumulation of oxidized dopamine and neuromelanin mediate the convergence of mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction in patient-derived neurons. In addition, the expression of human tyrosinase in mouse SNpc led to the formation of neuromelanin resulting in the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons, further highlighting the importance of neuromelanin in PD. The potential role of neuromelanin in PD pathogenesis has been supported by epidemiological observations, whereby individuals with lighter pigmentation or cutaneous malignant melanoma exhibit higher incidence of PD. Because neuromelanin and melanin share many functional characteristics and overlapping biosynthetic pathways, it has been postulated that genes involved in skin pigmentation and melanin formation may play a role in the susceptibility of vulnerable midbrain dopaminergic neurons to neurodegeneration. Here, we highlight potential mechanisms that may explain the link between skin pigmentation and PD, focusing on the role of skin pigmentation genes in the pathogenesis of PD. We also discuss the importance of genetic ancestry in assessing the contribution of pigmentation-related genes to risk of PD. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Krainc
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mariana H G Monje
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Morgan Kinsinger
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bernabe I Bustos
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Simpson Querrey Center for Neurogenetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven J Lubbe
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Simpson Querrey Center for Neurogenetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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16
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Arna AB, Patel H, Singh RS, Vizeacoumar FS, Kusalik A, Freywald A, Vizeacoumar FJ, Wu Y. Synthetic lethal interactions of DEAD/H-box helicases as targets for cancer therapy. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1087989. [PMID: 36761420 PMCID: PMC9905851 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1087989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
DEAD/H-box helicases are implicated in virtually every aspect of RNA metabolism, including transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, ribosomes biogenesis, nuclear export, translation initiation, RNA degradation, and mRNA editing. Most of these helicases are upregulated in various cancers and mutations in some of them are associated with several malignancies. Lately, synthetic lethality (SL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) approaches, where genetic interactions of cancer-related genes are exploited as therapeutic targets, are emerging as a leading area of cancer research. Several DEAD/H-box helicases, including DDX3, DDX9 (Dbp9), DDX10 (Dbp4), DDX11 (ChlR1), and DDX41 (Sacy-1), have been subjected to SL analyses in humans and different model organisms. It remains to be explored whether SDL can be utilized to identity druggable targets in DEAD/H-box helicase overexpressing cancers. In this review, we analyze gene expression data of a subset of DEAD/H-box helicases in multiple cancer types and discuss how their SL/SDL interactions can be used for therapeutic purposes. We also summarize the latest developments in clinical applications, apart from discussing some of the challenges in drug discovery in the context of targeting DEAD/H-box helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananna Bhadra Arna
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Hardikkumar Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ravi Shankar Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Frederick S. Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Franco J. Vizeacoumar
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Yuliang Wu, ; Franco J. Vizeacoumar,
| | - Yuliang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Yuliang Wu, ; Franco J. Vizeacoumar,
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Oláh J, Lehotzky A, Szénási T, Berki T, Ovádi J. Modulatory Role of TPPP3 in Microtubule Organization and Its Impact on Alpha-Synuclein Pathology. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193025. [PMID: 36230985 PMCID: PMC9564178 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by locomotion deficits, dopaminergic neuronal loss and alpha-synuclein (SYN) aggregates; the Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP/p25 or TPPP1) is also implicated in these processes. The moonlighting and chameleon TPPP1 modulates the dynamics/stability of the multifunctional microtubule network by promoting its acetylation and bundling. Previously, we identified the microtubule-associated TPPP3, a homologue of TPPP1 lacking its N-terminus; however, its involvement in physiological or pathological processes was not elucidated. In this work, we have shown the modulatory role of TPPP3, similarly to TPPP1, in microtubule organization, as well as its homo- and hetero-associations with TPPP1. TPPP3, in contrast to TPPP1, virtually does not bind to SYN; consequently, it does not promote SYN aggregation. Its anti-aggregative potency is achieved by counteracting the formation of the TPPP1–SYN pathological complex/aggregation leading to Parkinsonism. The interactions of TPPP3 have been determined and quantified in vitro with recombinant human proteins, cell extracts and in living human cells using different methods including bifunctional fluorescence complementation. The tight association of TPPP3 with TPPP1, but not with SYN, may ensure a unique mechanism for its inhibitory effect. TPPP3 or its selected fragments may become a leading agent for developing anti-Parkinson agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Oláh
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (J.O.); Tel.: +36-1-3826-742 (J.O.); +36-1-3826-714 (J.O.)
| | - Attila Lehotzky
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Szénási
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Judit Ovádi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (J.O.); Tel.: +36-1-3826-742 (J.O.); +36-1-3826-714 (J.O.)
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18
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Rachinger N, Mittag N, Böhme-Schäfer I, Xiang W, Kuphal S, Bosserhoff AK. Alpha-Synuclein and Its Role in Melanocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132087. [PMID: 35805172 PMCID: PMC9265281 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation is an important process in skin physiology and skin diseases and presumably also plays a role in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In PD, alpha-Synuclein (aSyn) has been shown to be involved in the pigmentation of neurons. The presynaptic protein is intensively investigated for its pathological role in PD, but its physiological function remains unknown. We hypothesized that aSyn is both involved in melanocytic differentiation and melanosome trafficking processes. We detected a strong expression of aSyn in human epidermal melanocytes (NHEMs) and observed its regulation in melanocytic differentiation via the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a central regulator of differentiation. Moreover, we investigated its role in pigmentation by performing siRNA experiments but found no effect on the total melanin content. We discovered a localization of aSyn to melanosomes, and further analysis of aSyn knockdown revealed an important role in melanocytic morphology and a reduction in melanosome release. Additionally, we found a reduction of transferred melanosomes in co-culture experiments of melanocytes and keratinocytes but no complete inhibition of melanosome transmission. In summary, this study highlights a novel physiological role of aSyn in melanocytic morphology and its so far unknown function in the pigment secretion in melanocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Rachinger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (N.R.); (I.B.-S.); (S.K.)
| | - Nora Mittag
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Ines Böhme-Schäfer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (N.R.); (I.B.-S.); (S.K.)
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Silke Kuphal
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (N.R.); (I.B.-S.); (S.K.)
| | - Anja K. Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (N.R.); (I.B.-S.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Improvement of synaptic plasticity by nanoparticles and the related mechanisms: Applications and prospects. J Control Release 2022; 347:143-163. [PMID: 35513209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is an important basis of learning and memory and participates in brain network remodelling after different types of brain injury (such as that caused by neurodegenerative diseases, cerebral ischaemic injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychiatric disorders). Therefore, improving synaptic plasticity is particularly important for the treatment of nervous system-related diseases. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, increasing evidence has shown that nanoparticles (NPs) can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in different ways, directly or indirectly act on nerve cells, regulate synaptic plasticity, and ultimately improve nerve function. Therefore, to better elucidate the effect of NPs on synaptic plasticity, we review evidence showing that NPs can improve synaptic plasticity by regulating different influencing factors, such as neurotransmitters, receptors, presynaptic membrane proteins and postsynaptic membrane proteins, and further discuss the possible mechanism by which NPs improve synaptic plasticity. We conclude that NPs can improve synaptic plasticity and restore the function of damaged nerves by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, inducing autophagy, and regulating ion channels on the cell membrane. By reviewing the mechanism by which NPs regulate synaptic plasticity and the applications of NPs for the treatment of neurological diseases, we also propose directions for future research in this field and provide an important reference for follow-up research.
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20
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Bianchini M, Giambelluca M, Scavuzzo MC, Di Franco G, Guadagni S, Palmeri M, Furbetta N, Gianardi D, Costa A, Gentiluomo M, Gaeta R, Pollina LE, Falcone A, Vivaldi C, Di Candio G, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Soldani P, Puglisi-Allegra S, Morelli L, Fornai F. In Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Alpha-Synuclein Increases and Marks Peri-Neural Infiltration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3775. [PMID: 35409135 PMCID: PMC8999122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a protein involved in neuronal degeneration. However, the family of synucleins has recently been demonstrated to be involved in the mechanisms of oncogenesis by selectively accelerating cellular processes leading to cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal human cancers, with a specifically high neurotropism. The molecular bases of this biological behavior are currently poorly understood. Here, α-synuclein was analyzed concerning the protein expression in PDAC and the potential association with PDAC neurotropism. Tumor (PDAC) and extra-tumor (extra-PDAC) samples from 20 patients affected by PDAC following pancreatic resections were collected at the General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa. All patients were affected by moderately or poorly differentiated PDAC. The amount of α-syn was compared between tumor and extra-tumor specimen (sampled from non-affected neighboring pancreatic areas) by using in situ immuno-staining with peroxidase anti-α-syn immunohistochemistry, α-syn detection by using Western blotting, and electron microscopy by using α-syn-conjugated immuno-gold particles. All the methods consistently indicate that each PDAC sample possesses a higher amount of α-syn compared with extra-PDAC tissue. Moreover, the expression of α-syn was much higher in those PDAC samples from tumors with perineural infiltration compared with tumors without perineural infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bianchini
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Maria Giambelluca
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Maria Concetta Scavuzzo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Gregorio Di Franco
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Simone Guadagni
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Niccolò Furbetta
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Desirée Gianardi
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Aurelio Costa
- General Surgery Unit, ASL Toscana Nord Ovest Pontedera Hospital, 56025 Pontedera, Italy;
| | | | - Raffaele Gaeta
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.G.); (L.E.P.)
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.G.); (L.E.P.)
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Giulio Di Candio
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Carla Letizia Busceti
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Paola Soldani
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
- EndoCAS (Center for Computer Assisted Surgery), University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
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Krzemińska A, Kwiatos N, Arenhart Soares F, Steinbüchel A. Theoretical Studies of Cyanophycin Dipeptides as Inhibitors of Tyrosinases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063335. [PMID: 35328756 PMCID: PMC8950311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The three-dimensional structure of tyrosinase has been crystallized from many species but not from Homo sapiens. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, being an important target for melanoma and skin-whitening cosmetics. Several studies employed the structure of tyrosinase from Agaricus bisporus as a model enzyme. Recently, 98% of human genome proteins were elucidated by AlphaFold. Herein, the AlphaFold structure of human tyrosinase and the previous model were compared. Moreover, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 were included, along with inhibition studies employing kojic and cinnamic acids. Peptides are widely studied for their inhibitory activity of skin-related enzymes. Cyanophycin is an amino acid polymer produced by cyanobacteria and is built of aspartic acid and arginine; arginine can be also replaced by other amino acids. A new set of cyanophycin-derived dipeptides was evaluated as potential inhibitors. Aspartate–glutamate showed the strongest interaction and was chosen as a leading compound for future studies.
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Ryskalin L, Biagioni F, Morucci G, Busceti CL, Frati A, Puglisi-Allegra S, Ferrucci M, Fornai F. Spreading of Alpha Synuclein from Glioblastoma Cells towards Astrocytes Correlates with Stem-like Properties. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061417. [PMID: 35326570 PMCID: PMC8946011 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The present study questions whether cells from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which overexpress α-synuclein (α-syn), may alter neighboring non-tumoral astrocyte cell lines. The occurrence of α-syn in GBM correlates with the expression of the stem cell marker nestin. When astrocytes are co-cultured with GBM cells in a trans-well apparatus the occurrence of α-syn and nestin rises remarkably. The increase in α-syn in co-cultured astrocytes is more pronounced at the plasma membrane, which mimics the placement of α-syn in GBM cells. When the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin is administered, GBM-induced expression of α-syn and nestin within co-cultured astrocytes is occluded, and morphological alterations are reverted. In the presence of rapamycin the sub-cellular placement of α-syn is modified being allocated within whorls and vacuoles instead of the plasma membrane. The effects induced by rapamycin occur both in baseline GBM cells and within astrocytes primed by co-cultured GBM cells. Abstract Evidence has been recently provided showing that, in baseline conditions, GBM cells feature high levels of α-syn which are way in excess compared with α-syn levels measured within control astrocytes. These findings are consistent along various techniques. In fact, they are replicated by using antibody-based protein detection, such as immuno-fluorescence, immuno-peroxidase, immunoblotting and ultrastructural stoichiometry as well as by measuring α-syn transcript levels at RT-PCR. The present manuscript further questions whether such a high amount of α-syn may be induced within astrocytes, which are co-cultured with GBM cells in a trans-well system. In astrocytes co-cultured with GBM cells, α-syn overexpression is documented. Such an increase is concomitant with increased expression of the stem cell marker nestin, along with GBM-like shifting in cell morphology. This concerns general cell morphology, subcellular compartments and profuse convolutions at the plasma membrane. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allows us to assess the authentic amount and sub-cellular compartmentalization of α-syn and nestin within baseline GBM cells and the amount, which is induced within co-cultured astrocytes, as well as the shifting of ultrastructure, which is reminiscent of GBM cells. These phenomena are mitigated by rapamycin administration, which reverts nestin- and α-syn-related overexpression and phenotypic shifting within co-cultured astrocytes towards baseline conditions of naïve astrocytes. The present study indicates that: (i) α-syn increases in astrocyte co-cultured with GBM cells; (ii) α-syn increases in astrocytes along with the stem cell marker nestin; (iii) α-syn increases along with a GBM-like shift of cell morphology; (iv) all these changes are replicated in different GBM cell lines and are reverted by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. The present findings indicate that α-syn does occur in high amount within GBM cells and may transmit to neighboring astrocytes as much as a stem cell phenotype. This suggests a mode of tumor progression for GBM cells, which may transform, rather than merely substitute, surrounding tissue; such a phenomenon is sensitive to mTOR inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ryskalin
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.R.); (G.M.); (M.F.)
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (A.F.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Gabriele Morucci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.R.); (G.M.); (M.F.)
| | - Carla L. Busceti
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (A.F.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Alessandro Frati
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (A.F.); (S.P.-A.)
- Neurosurgery Division, Human Neurosciences Department, Sapienza University, 00135 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (A.F.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.R.); (G.M.); (M.F.)
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.R.); (G.M.); (M.F.)
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (A.F.); (S.P.-A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-2218601
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Annual Incidence of Dementia from 2003 to 2018 in Metropolitan Seoul, Korea: A Population-Based Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030819. [PMID: 35160270 PMCID: PMC8836574 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
National dementia plans were applied in dementia support centers established in Seoul, Korea between 2007 and 2009. However, the annual incidence rates of dementia in Seoul have not been reported. We investigated this annual incidence and the characteristics of incident cases from 2003 to 2018. The customized research database of the Korean National Health Insurance Services was used. The annual crude and age-standardized incidence of dementia patients and their characteristics were analyzed. This study analyzed 108,596 incident dementia cases aged ≥60 years. The incidence rate increased from 2003 to 2011, including a rapid increment from 2007 to 2011. From 2011 to 2018, the crude (age-standardized) incidence per 105 person-years decreased from 641.51 (577.12) to 448.26 (361.23). The proportion of incident dementia cases was highest in the highest income group every year. However, the proportion of incident dementia cases in the lowest income group increased from 10.4% in 2003 to 25.8% in 2011. The annual incidence rate of dementia showed a sharp increase immediately after 2007, the year dementia support centers began to be introduced, and then stabilized after 2011. The characteristics of incident dementia cases have changed, including the proportion in the low-income group.
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