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Mufson EJ, Counts SE, Ginsberg SD, Mahady L, Perez SE, Massa SM, Longo FM, Ikonomovic MD. Nerve Growth Factor Pathobiology During the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:533. [PMID: 31312116 PMCID: PMC6613497 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The current review summarizes the pathobiology of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its cognate receptors during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both transcript and protein data indicate that cholinotrophic neuronal dysfunction is related to an imbalance between TrkA-mediated survival signaling and the NGF precursor (proNGF)/p75NTR-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling, which may be related to alteration in the metabolism of NGF. Data indicate a spatiotemporal pattern of degeneration related to the evolution of tau pathology within cholinotrophic neuronal subgroups located within the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM). Despite these degenerative events the cholinotrophic system is capable of cellular resilience and/or plasticity during the prodromal and later stages of the disease. In addition to neurotrophin dysfunction, studies indicate alterations in epigenetically regulated proteins occur within cholinotrophic nbM neurons during the progression of AD, suggesting a mechanism that may underlie changes in transcript expression. Findings that increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of proNGF mark the onset of MCI and the transition to AD suggests that this proneurotrophin is a potential disease biomarker. Novel therapeutics to treat NGF dysfunction include NGF gene therapy and the development of small molecule agonists for the cognate prosurvival NGF receptor TrkA and antagonists against the pan-neurotrophin p75NTR death receptor for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott J. Mufson
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Scott E. Counts
- Translational Science and Molecular Medicine Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Stephen D. Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, and Physiology and NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura Mahady
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Sylvia E. Perez
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Stephen M. Massa
- Department of Neurology, San Francisco VA Health Care System, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Frank M. Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Milos D. Ikonomovic
- Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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2
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Dugger R, Li B, Richardson P. Discovery and Development of Lorlatinib: A Macrocyclic Inhibitor of EML4-ALK for the Treatment of NSCLC. ACS SYMPOSIUM SERIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/bk-2019-1332.ch002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Dugger
- Process Development, Medicinal Sciences, Chemical Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Bryan Li
- Process Development, Medicinal Sciences, Chemical Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Paul Richardson
- Oncology Medicinal Chemistry, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., La Jolla, California 92122, United States
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3
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Langille NF, Horne DB. Discovery and Development of AMG 333: A TRPM8 Antagonist for Migraine. ACS SYMPOSIUM SERIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/bk-2019-1332.ch006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neil F. Langille
- Pivotal Drug Substance Synthetic Technologies, Amgen, Inc., 360 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Daniel B. Horne
- Discovery Research, Amgen, Inc., 360 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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4
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Bagal SK, Andrews M, Bechle BM, Bian J, Bilsland J, Blakemore DC, Braganza JF, Bungay PJ, Corbett MS, Cronin CN, Cui JJ, Dias R, Flanagan NJ, Greasley SE, Grimley R, James K, Johnson E, Kitching L, Kraus ML, McAlpine I, Nagata A, Ninkovic S, Omoto K, Scales S, Skerratt SE, Sun J, Tran-Dubé M, Waldron GJ, Wang F, Warmus JS. Discovery of Potent, Selective, and Peripherally Restricted Pan-Trk Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pain. J Med Chem 2018; 61:6779-6800. [PMID: 29944371 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hormones of the neurotrophin family, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT4), are known to activate the family of Tropomyosin receptor kinases (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC). Moreover, inhibition of the TrkA kinase pathway in pain has been clinically validated by the NGF antibody tanezumab, leading to significant interest in the development of small molecule inhibitors of TrkA. Furthermore, Trk inhibitors having an acceptable safety profile will require minimal brain availability. Herein, we discuss the discovery of two potent, selective, peripherally restricted, efficacious, and well-tolerated series of pan-Trk inhibitors which successfully delivered three candidate quality compounds 10b, 13b, and 19. All three compounds are predicted to possess low metabolic clearance in human that does not proceed via aldehyde oxidase-catalyzed reactions, thus addressing the potential clearance prediction liability associated with our current pan-Trk development candidate PF-06273340.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan K Bagal
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Mark Andrews
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , Sandwich , Kent CT13 9NJ , U.K
| | - Bruce M Bechle
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
| | - Jianwei Bian
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
| | - James Bilsland
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - David C Blakemore
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - John F Braganza
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Peter J Bungay
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics & Metabolism , Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Matthew S Corbett
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
| | - Ciaran N Cronin
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Jingrong Jean Cui
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Rebecca Dias
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Neil J Flanagan
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Samantha E Greasley
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Rachel Grimley
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Kim James
- Peakdale Molecular , Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road , Sandwich CT13 9ND , U.K
| | - Eric Johnson
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Linda Kitching
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Michelle L Kraus
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Indrawan McAlpine
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Asako Nagata
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Sacha Ninkovic
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Kiyoyuki Omoto
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Stephanie Scales
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Sarah E Skerratt
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Jianmin Sun
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
| | - Michelle Tran-Dubé
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Gareth J Waldron
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Fen Wang
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive , San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Joseph S Warmus
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
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5
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Bagal SK, Omoto K, Blakemore DC, Bungay PJ, Bilsland JG, Clarke PJ, Corbett MS, Cronin CN, Cui JJ, Dias R, Flanagan NJ, Greasley SE, Grimley R, Johnson E, Fengas D, Kitching L, Kraus ML, McAlpine I, Nagata A, Waldron GJ, Warmus JS. Discovery of Allosteric, Potent, Subtype Selective, and Peripherally Restricted TrkA Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2018; 62:247-265. [PMID: 29672039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinases (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC) are activated by hormones of the neurotrophin family: nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT4). Moreover, the NGF antibody tanezumab has provided clinical proof of concept for inhibition of the TrkA kinase pathway in pain leading to significant interest in the development of small molecule inhibitors of TrkA. However, achieving TrkA subtype selectivity over TrkB and TrkC via a Type I and Type II inhibitor binding mode has proven challenging and Type III or Type IV allosteric inhibitors may present a more promising selectivity design approach. Furthermore, TrkA inhibitors with minimal brain availability are required to deliver an appropriate safety profile. Herein, we describe the discovery of a highly potent, subtype selective, peripherally restricted, efficacious, and well-tolerated series of allosteric TrkA inhibitors that culminated in the delivery of candidate quality compound 23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan K Bagal
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Kiyoyuki Omoto
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - David C Blakemore
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry , Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Peter J Bungay
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics & Metabolism , Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - James G Bilsland
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Philip J Clarke
- Peakdale Molecular , Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road , Sandwich , Kent CT13 9ND , U.K
| | - Matthew S Corbett
- Pfizer Global R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
| | - Ciaran N Cronin
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - J Jean Cui
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Rebecca Dias
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Neil J Flanagan
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Samantha E Greasley
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Rachel Grimley
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Eric Johnson
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - David Fengas
- Peakdale Molecular , Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road , Sandwich , Kent CT13 9ND , U.K
| | - Linda Kitching
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Michelle L Kraus
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Indrawan McAlpine
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Asako Nagata
- Pfizer Global R&D, La Jolla Laboratories , 10770 Science Center Drive, San Diego , California 92121 , United States
| | - Gareth J Waldron
- Pfizer Global R&D U.K. , The Portway Building, Granta Park , Cambridge CB21 6GS , U.K
| | - Joseph S Warmus
- Pfizer Global R&D, Groton Laboratories , Eastern Point Road , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , United States
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6
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Skerratt SE, Andrews M, Bagal SK, Bilsland J, Brown D, Bungay PJ, Cole S, Gibson KR, Jones R, Morao I, Nedderman A, Omoto K, Robinson C, Ryckmans T, Skinner K, Stupple P, Waldron G. The Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Peripherally Restricted Pan-Trk Inhibitor (PF-06273340) for the Treatment of Pain. J Med Chem 2016; 59:10084-10099. [PMID: 27766865 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The neurotrophin family of growth factors, comprised of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT4), is implicated in the physiology of chronic pain. Given the clinical efficacy of anti-NGF monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies, there is significant interest in the development of small molecule modulators of neurotrophin activity. Neurotrophins signal through the tropomyosin related kinase (Trk) family of tyrosine kinase receptors, hence Trk kinase inhibition represents a potentially "druggable" point of intervention. To deliver the safety profile required for chronic, nonlife threatening pain indications, highly kinase-selective Trk inhibitors with minimal brain availability are sought. Herein we describe how the use of SBDD, 2D QSAR models, and matched molecular pair data in compound design enabled the delivery of the highly potent, kinase-selective, and peripherally restricted clinical candidate PF-06273340.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Skerratt
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
| | - Mark Andrews
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Sharan K Bagal
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
| | - James Bilsland
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
| | - David Brown
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Peter J Bungay
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
| | - Susan Cole
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Karl R Gibson
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Russell Jones
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Inaki Morao
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Angus Nedderman
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Kiyoyuki Omoto
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
| | - Colin Robinson
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Thomas Ryckmans
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Kimberly Skinner
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Paul Stupple
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9NJ, U.K
| | - Gareth Waldron
- Pfizer Global Research & Development , The Portway Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GS, U.K
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7
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Tiernan CT, Ginsberg SD, Guillozet-Bongaarts AL, Ward SM, He B, Kanaan NM, Mufson EJ, Binder LI, Counts SE. Protein homeostasis gene dysregulation in pretangle-bearing nucleus basalis neurons during the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 42:80-90. [PMID: 27143424 PMCID: PMC4973891 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Conformational phosphorylation and cleavage events drive the tau protein from a soluble, monomeric state to a relatively insoluble, polymeric state that precipitates the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in projection neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the magnocellular perikarya located in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) complex of the basal forebrain. Whether these structural changes in the tau protein are associated with pathogenic changes at the molecular and cellular level remains undetermined during the onset of AD. Here, we examined alterations in gene expression within individual NBM neurons immunostained for pS422, an early tau phosphorylation event, or dual labeled for pS422 and TauC3, a later stage tau neoepitope, from tissue obtained postmortem from subjects who died with an antemortem clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, or mild/moderate AD. Specifically, pS422-positive pretangles displayed an upregulation of select gene transcripts subserving protein quality control. On the other hand, late-stage TauC3-positive NFTs exhibited upregulation of messenger RNAs involved in protein degradation but also cell survival. Taken together, these results suggest that molecular pathways regulating protein homeostasis are altered during the evolution of NFT pathology in the NBM. These changes likely contribute to the disruption of protein turnover and neuronal survival of these vulnerable NBM neurons during the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea T Tiernan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Sarah M Ward
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Bin He
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Lester I Binder
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Scott E Counts
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Hauenstein Neurosciences Center, Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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8
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Preservation of cortical sortilin protein levels in MCI and Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Lett 2010; 471:129-33. [PMID: 20085800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2009] [Revised: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) precursor protein proNGF is the predominant NGF moiety found in the human neocortex and exhibits pro-apoptotic properties when bound to the p75(NTR) neurotrophin receptor in the presence of sortilin, a Vps10p domain trafficking protein. Recently studies have shown that proNGF levels increase in the cortex of people who died with early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a putative prodromal AD stage. In contrast, cortical levels of the high-affinity, pro-survival NGF receptor TrkA are reduced in AD despite stable levels of p75(NTR). These data suggest a stoichiometric shift in proNGF and its receptors which favors proNGF binding of p75(NTR). Whether cortical levels of sortilin are altered during the progression of AD remains unknown. Therefore, we measured sortilin protein levels in postmortem superior frontal and superior temporal cortical tissues derived from Religious Orders Study subjects clinically diagnosed antemortem with no cognitive impairment (NCI), MCI or AD. No changes in frontal or temporal cortical sortilin protein levels occurred across the clinical groups. There was no association between sortilin levels and antemortem cognitive test scores. However, there was a positive association between temporal cortex sortilin levels and severity of neuropathology by Braak and NIA-Reagan diagnoses. The stability of cortical sortilin levels in the face of stable p75(NTR), increased proNGF, and reduced TrkA levels may favor pro-apoptotic proNGF:p75(NTR):sortilin trimeric interactions within the cortex during the earliest stages of AD. These findings are relevant to the development of NGF drug therapy for the treatment of dementia.
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9
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Mufson EJ, Counts SE, Perez SE, Ginsberg SD. Cholinergic system during the progression of Alzheimer's disease: therapeutic implications. Expert Rev Neurother 2009; 8:1703-18. [PMID: 18986241 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.8.11.1703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive phenotypic downregulation of markers within cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) neurons, frank CBF cell loss and reduced cortical choline acetyltransferase activity associated with cognitive decline. Delaying CBF neurodegeneration or minimizing its consequences is the mechanism of action for most currently available drug treatments for cognitive dysfunction in AD. Growing evidence suggests that imbalances in the expression of NGF, its precursor proNGF and the high (TrkA) and low (p75(NTR)) affinity NGF receptors are crucial factors underlying CBF dysfunction in AD. Drugs that maintain a homeostatic balance between TrkA and p75(NTR) may slow the onset of AD. A NGF gene therapy trial reduced cognitive decline and stimulated cholinergic fiber growth in humans with mild AD. Drugs treating the multiple pathologies and clinical symptoms in AD (e.g., M1 cholinoceptor and/or galaninergic drugs) should be considered for a more comprehensive treatment approach for cholinergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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10
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Mufson EJ, Ginsberg SD, Ikonomovic MD, DeKosky ST. Human cholinergic basal forebrain: chemoanatomy and neurologic dysfunction. J Chem Neuroanat 2003; 26:233-42. [PMID: 14729126 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-0618(03)00068-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The human cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) is comprised of magnocellular hyperchromic neurons within the septal/diagonal band complex and nucleus basalis (NB) of Meynert. CBF neurons provide the major cholinergic innervation to the hippocampus, amygdala and neocortex. They play a role in cognition and attentional behaviors, and are dysfunctional in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The human CBF displays a continuum of large cells that contain various cholinergic markers, nerve growth factor (NGF) and its cognate receptors, calbindin, glutamate receptors, and the estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Admixed with these cholinergic neuronal phenotypes are smaller interneurons containing the m2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChRs), NADPH-diaphorase, GABA, calcium binding proteins and several inhibitory neuropeptides including galanin (GAL), which is over expressed in AD. Studies using human autopsy material indicate an age-related dissociation of calbindin and the glutamate receptor GluR2 within CBF neurons, suggesting that these molecules act synergistically to induce excitotoxic cell death during aging, and possibly during AD. Choline acetyltrasnferease (ChAT) activity and CBF neuron number is preserved in the cholinergic basocortical system and up regulated in the septohippocampal system during prodromal as compared with end stage AD. In contrast, the number of CBF neurons containing NGF receptors is reduced early in the disease process suggesting a phenotypic silence and not a frank loss of neurons. In end stage AD, there is a selective reduction in trkA mRNA but not p75(NTR) in single CBF cells suggesting a neurotrophic defect throughout the progression of AD. These observations indicate the complexity of the chemoanatomy of the human CBF and suggest that multiple factors play different roles in its dysfunction in aging and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Tech 2000, 2242 West Harrison St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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11
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Mufson EJ, Ma SY, Dills J, Cochran EJ, Leurgans S, Wuu J, Bennett DA, Jaffar S, Gilmor ML, Levey AI, Kordower JH. Loss of basal forebrain P75(NTR) immunoreactivity in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. J Comp Neurol 2002; 443:136-53. [PMID: 11793352 DOI: 10.1002/cne.10122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The long-held belief that degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain was central to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and occurred early in the disease process has been questioned recently. In this regard, changes in some cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) markers (e.g. the high affinity trkA receptor) but not others (e.g., cortical choline acetyltransferase [ChAT] activity, the number of ChAT and vesicular acetylcholine transporter-immunoreactive neurons) suggest specific phenotypic changes, but not frank neuronal degeneration, early in the disease process. The present study examined the expression of the low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), an excellent marker of CBF neurons, in postmortem tissue derived from clinically well-characterized individuals who have been classified as having no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild AD. Relative to NCI individuals, a significant and similar reduction in the number of nucleus basalis p75(NTR)-immunoreactive neurons was seen in individuals with MCI (38%) and mild AD (43%). The number of p75(NTR)-immunoreactive nucleus basalis neurons was significantly correlated with performance on the Mini-Mental State Exam, a Global Cognitive Test score, as well as some individual tests of working memory and attention. These data, together with previous reports, support the concept that phenotypic changes, but not frank neuronal degeneration, occur early in cognitive decline. Although there was no difference in p75(NTR) CBF cell reduction between MCI and AD, it remains to be determined whether these findings lend support to the hypothesis that MCI is a prodromal stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
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Chu Y, Cochran EJ, Bennett DA, Mufson EJ, Kordower JH. Down-regulation of trkA mRNA within nucleus basalis neurons in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. J Comp Neurol 2001; 437:296-307. [PMID: 11494257 DOI: 10.1002/cne.1284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that trkA expression is reduced in end-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, understanding the neuropathologic correlates of early cognitive decline, as well as the changes that underlie the transition from nondemented mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD, are more critical neurobiological challenges. In these regards, the present study examined the expression of trkA mRNA in individuals diagnosed with MCI and AD from a cohort of people enrolled in a Religious Orders Study. Individuals with MCI and AD displayed significant reductions in trkA mRNA relative to aged-matched controls, indicating that alterations in trkA gene expression occur early in the disease process. The magnitude of change was similar in MCI and AD cases, suggesting that further loss of trkA mRNA is not necessarily associated with the transition of individuals from nondemented MCI to AD. The loss of trkA mRNA was not associated with education, apolipoprotein E allele status, gender, Braak score, global cognitive score or Mini-Mental Status Examination. In contrast, the loss of trkA mRNA in MCI and AD was significantly correlated with function on a variety of episodic memory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Chu
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
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Mufson EJ, Ma SY, Cochran EJ, Bennett DA, Beckett LA, Jaffar S, Saragovi HU, Kordower JH. Loss of nucleus basalis neurons containing trkA immunoreactivity in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. J Comp Neurol 2000; 427:19-30. [PMID: 11042589 DOI: 10.1002/1096-9861(20001106)427:1<19::aid-cne2>3.0.co;2-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that there is a marked reduction in trkA-containing nucleus basalis neurons in end-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used unbiased stereological counting procedures to determine whether these changes extend to individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) without dementia from a cohort of people enrolled in the Religious Orders Study. Thirty people (average age 84.7 years) came to autopsy. All individuals were cognitively tested within 12 months of death (average MMSE 24.2). Clinically, 9 had no cognitive impairment (NCI), 12 were categorized with MCI, and 9 had probable AD The average number of trkA-immunoreactive neurons in persons with NCI was 196, 632 +/- 12,093 (n = 9), for those with MCI it was 106,110 +/- 14,565, and for those with AD it was 86,978 +/- 12,141. Multiple comparisons showed that both those with MCI and those with AD had significant loss in the number of trkA-containing neurons compared to those with NCI (46% decrease for MCI, 56% for AD). An analysis of variance revealed that the total number of neurons containing trkA immunoreactivity was related to diagnostic classification (P < 0.001), with a significant reduction in AD and MCI compared to NCI but without a significant difference between MCI and AD. Cell density was similarly related to diagnostic classification (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation with the Boston Naming Test and with a global score measure of cognitive function. The number of trkA-immunoreactive neurons was not correlated with MMSE, age at death, education, apolipoprotein E allele status, gender, or Braak score. These data indicate that alterations in the number of nucleus basalis neurons containing trkA immunoreactivity occurs early and are not accelerated from the transition from MCI to mild AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Mufson
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
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Mufson EJ, Kroin JS, Sendera TJ, Sobreviela T. Distribution and retrograde transport of trophic factors in the central nervous system: functional implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Prog Neurobiol 1999; 57:451-84. [PMID: 10080385 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-0082(98)00059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins play a crucial role in the maintenance, survival and selective vulnerability of various neuronal populations within the normal and diseased brain. Several families of growth promoting substances have been identified within the central nervous system (CNS) including the superfamily of nerve growth factor related neurotrophin factors, glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). In addition, other non-neuronal growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) have also been identified. This article reviews the trophic anatomy of these factors within the CNS. Intraventricular and intraparenchymal injections of exogenous nerve growth factor result in retrograde labeling mainly within the cholinergic basal forebrain. Distribution of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) following intraventricular injection is minimal due to the binding to the trkB receptor along the ventricular wall. In contrast, intraparenchymal injections of BDNF results in widespread retrograde transport throughout the CNS. BDNF has also been shown to be transported anterogradely within the CNS. Infusion of GDNF into the CNS results in retrograde transport limited to the nigrostriatal pathway. Hippocampal injections of NT-3 retrogradely label mainly basal forebrain neurons. Retrograde transport of radiolabeled CNTF has only been observed in sensory neurons of the sciatic nerve. Following intraventricular and intraparenchymal infusion of radiolabeled bFGF, retrograde neuronal labeling was found in the telecephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon and pons. In contrast retrograde labeling for aFGF was found only in the hypothalamus and midbrain. Since select neurotrophins traffic anterogradely and retrogradely within the nervous system, these proteins could be used to treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Mufson
- Research Center for Brain Repair, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Presbyterian-Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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