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Cardim-Pires TR, de Rus Jacquet A, Cicchetti F. Healthy blood, healthy brain: a window into understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurol 2024; 271:3682-3689. [PMID: 38607433 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12337-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Our limited understanding of complex neurodegenerative disorders has held us back on the development of efficient therapies. While several approaches are currently being considered, it is still unclear what will be most successful. Among the latest and more novel ideas, the concept of blood or plasma transfusion from young healthy donors to diseased patients is gaining momentum and attracting attention beyond the scientific arena. While young or healthy blood is enriched with protective and restorative components, blood from older subjects may accumulate neurotoxic agents or be impoverished of beneficial factors. In this commentary, we present an overview of the compelling evidence collected in various animal models of brain diseases (e.g., Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington) to the actual clinical trials that have been conducted to test the validity of blood-related treatments in neurodegenerative diseases and argue in favor of such approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thyago R Cardim-Pires
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Aurélie de Rus Jacquet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1K 0A6, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
- Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1K 0A6, Canada.
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Lee JY, Lim MCX, Koh RY, Tsen MT, Chye SM. Blood-based therapies to combat neurodegenerative diseases. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:985-1004. [PMID: 38842660 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-024-01368-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration, known as the progressive loss of neurons in terms of their structure and function, is the principal pathophysiological change found in the majority of brain-related disorders. Ageing has been considered the most well-established risk factor in most common neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is currently no effective treatment or cure for these diseases; the approved therapeutic options to date are only for palliative care. Ageing and neurodegenerative diseases are closely intertwined; reversing the aspects of brain ageing could theoretically mitigate age-related neurodegeneration. Ever since the regenerative properties of young blood on aged tissues came to light, substantial efforts have been focused on identifying and characterizing the circulating factors in the young and old systemic milieu that may attenuate or accentuate brain ageing and neurodegeneration. Later studies discovered the superiority of old plasma dilution in tissue rejuvenation, which is achieved through a molecular reset of the systemic proteome. These findings supported the use of therapeutic blood exchange for the treatment of degenerative diseases in older individuals. The first objective of this article is to explore the rejuvenating properties of blood-based therapies in the ageing brains and their therapeutic effects on AD. Then, we also look into the clinical applications, various limitations, and challenges associated with blood-based therapies for AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yee Lee
- School of Health Science, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mervyn Chen Xi Lim
- School of Health Science, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rhun Yian Koh
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Science, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Min Tze Tsen
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Science, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Soi Moi Chye
- Division of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, School of Health Science, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Dejanovic B, Sheng M, Hanson JE. Targeting synapse function and loss for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:23-42. [PMID: 38012296 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synapse dysfunction and loss are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases that correlate with cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse synaptic damage remain elusive. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that impair synapses in neurodegenerative diseases, including the effects of protein aggregation and neuroinflammation. We also highlight emerging therapeutic approaches that aim to restore synaptic function and integrity, such as enhancing synaptic plasticity, preventing synaptotoxicity, modulating neuronal network activity and targeting immune signalling. We discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence for each strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities for developing effective synapse-targeting therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Fei Z, Pan B, Pei R, Chen Z, Du X, Cao H, Li C. Efficacy and safety of blood derivatives therapy in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2022; 11:256. [PMID: 36443888 PMCID: PMC9706869 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-02115-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood derivatives therapy is a conventional clinical treatment, while the treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is relatively novel. To provide clinical references for treating AD, this meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of blood derivatives therapy on the patients with AD. METHODS A systematic articles search was performed for eligible studies published up to December 6, 2021 through the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov , Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and Wanfang databases. The included articles were screened by using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study selection and data-extraction were performed by two authors independently. Random effects model or fixed effects model was used. Quality of studies and risk of bias were evaluated according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. All analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4. The study was designed and conducted according to the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. RESULTS A total of three plasma administrations (two plasma exchange and one young plasma infusion) and five intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) randomized controlled trials with a sample size of 1148 subjects diagnosed with AD were included. There was no significant difference in cognitive improvement and all-cause discontinuation between intervention and placebo groups (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.79-1.54). And Intervention groups showed not a statistically significant improvement in cognition of included subjects measured by the ADAS-Cog (MD 0.36, 95% CI 0.87-1.59), ADCS-ADL (MD -1.34, 95% CI - 5.01-2.32) and NPI (MD 2.20, 95% CI 0.07-4.32) score compared to the control groups. IVIG is well tolerated for AD patients even under the maximum dose (0.4 g/kg), but it is inferior to placebo in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scale in AD patients (MD 2.19, 95% CI 0.02-4.37). CONCLUSIONS The benefits of blood derivatives therapy for AD are limited. It is necessary to perform well-designed randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes focusing on the appropriate blood derivatives for the specific AD sub-populations in the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021233886.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangcheng Fei
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China
| | - Bo Pan
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China
| | - Renjun Pei
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China
| | - Zhongsheng Chen
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China
| | - Xi Du
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China
| | - Haijun Cao
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China.
| | - Changqing Li
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, 610052, China.
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Höving AL, Schmidt KE, Kaltschmidt B, Kaltschmidt C, Knabbe C. The Role of Blood-Derived Factors in Protection and Regeneration of Aged Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179626. [PMID: 36077021 PMCID: PMC9455681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue regeneration substantially relies on the functionality of tissue-resident endogenous adult stem cell populations. However, during aging, a progressive decline in organ function and regenerative capacities impedes endogenous repair processes. Especially the adult human heart is considered as an organ with generally low regenerative capacities. Interestingly, beneficial effects of systemic factors carried by young blood have been described in diverse organs including the heart, brain and skeletal muscle of the murine system. Thus, the interest in young blood or blood components as potential therapeutic agents to target age-associated malignancies led to a wide range of preclinical and clinical research. However, the translation of promising results from the murine to the human system remains difficult. Likewise, the establishment of adequate cellular models could help to study the effects of human blood plasma on the regeneration of human tissues and particularly the heart. Facing this challenge, this review describes the current knowledge of blood plasma-mediated protection and regeneration of aging tissues. The current status of preclinical and clinical research examining blood borne factors that act in stem cell-based tissue maintenance and regeneration is summarized. Further, examples of cellular model systems for a more detailed examination of selected regulatory pathways are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Höving
- Heart and Diabetes Centre NRW, Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Kazuko E. Schmidt
- Heart and Diabetes Centre NRW, Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Barbara Kaltschmidt
- AG Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian Kaltschmidt
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Cornelius Knabbe
- Heart and Diabetes Centre NRW, Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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Morató X, Pytel V, Jofresa S, Ruiz A, Boada M. Symptomatic and Disease-Modifying Therapy Pipeline for Alzheimer’s Disease: Towards a Personalized Polypharmacology Patient-Centered Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169305. [PMID: 36012569 PMCID: PMC9409252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 1906, when Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described in a patient “a peculiar severe disease process of the cerebral cortex”, people suffering from this pathology have been waiting for a breakthrough therapy. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder and the most common form of dementia in the elderly with a long presymptomatic phase. Worldwide, approximately 50 million people are living with dementia, with AD comprising 60–70% of cases. Pathologically, AD is characterized by the deposition of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) in the neuropil (neuritic plaques) and blood vessels (amyloid angiopathy), and by the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in neurons (neurofibrillary tangles) in the brain, with associated loss of synapses and neurons, together with glial activation, and neuroinflammation, resulting in cognitive deficits and eventually dementia. The current competitive landscape in AD consists of symptomatic treatments, of which there are currently six approved medications: three AChEIs (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine), one NMDA-R antagonist (memantine), one combination therapy (memantine/donepezil), and GV-971 (sodium oligomannate, a mixture of oligosaccharides derived from algae) only approved in China. Improvements to the approved therapies, such as easier routes of administration and reduced dosing frequencies, along with the developments of new strategies and combined treatments are expected to occur within the next decade and will positively impact the way the disease is managed. Recently, Aducanumab, the first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) has been approved for AD, and several DMTs are in advanced stages of clinical development or regulatory review. Small molecules, mAbs, or multimodal strategies showing promise in animal studies have not confirmed that promise in the clinic (where small to moderate changes in clinical efficacy have been observed), and therefore, there is a significant unmet need for a better understanding of the AD pathogenesis and the exploration of alternative etiologies and therapeutic effective disease-modifying therapies strategies for AD. Therefore, a critical review of the disease-modifying therapy pipeline for Alzheimer’s disease is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Morató
- Research Center and Memory Clinic, Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Vanesa Pytel
- Research Center and Memory Clinic, Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Jofresa
- Research Center and Memory Clinic, Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agustín Ruiz
- Research Center and Memory Clinic, Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Boada
- Research Center and Memory Clinic, Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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