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Donders Z, Skorupska IJ, Willems E, Mussen F, Broeckhoven JV, Carlier A, Schepers M, Vanmierlo T. Beyond PDE4 inhibition: A comprehensive review on downstream cAMP signaling in the central nervous system. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117009. [PMID: 38908196 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117009] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key second messenger that regulates signal transduction pathways pivotal for numerous biological functions. Intracellular cAMP levels are spatiotemporally regulated by their hydrolyzing enzymes called phosphodiesterases (PDEs). It has been shown that increased cAMP levels in the central nervous system (CNS) promote neuroplasticity, neurotransmission, neuronal survival, and myelination while suppressing neuroinflammation. Thus, elevating cAMP levels through PDE inhibition provides a therapeutic approach for multiple CNS disorders, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. In particular, inhibition of the cAMP-specific PDE4 subfamily is widely studied because of its high expression in the CNS. So far, the clinical translation of full PDE4 inhibitors has been hampered because of dose-limiting side effects. Hence, focusing on signaling cascades downstream activated upon PDE4 inhibition presents a promising strategy, offering novel and pharmacologically safe targets for treating CNS disorders. Yet, the underlying downstream signaling pathways activated upon PDE(4) inhibition remain partially elusive. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge regarding downstream mediators of cAMP signaling induced by PDE4 inhibition or cAMP stimulators. Furthermore, we highlight existing gaps and future perspectives that may incentivize additional downstream research concerning PDE(4) inhibition, thereby providing novel therapeutic approaches for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Donders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Iga Joanna Skorupska
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht 6629ER, the Netherlands
| | - Emily Willems
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Femke Mussen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht 6629ER, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; University MS Centre (UMSC) Hasselt - Pelt, Belgium.
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Yang S, Yin X, Wang J, Li H, Shen H, Sun Q, Li X. MIC19 Exerts Neuroprotective Role via Maintaining the Mitochondrial Structure in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11553. [PMID: 37511310 PMCID: PMC10380515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential constituent of the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organization system (MICOS), MIC19 plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of mitochondrial function and microstructure. However, the mechanisms and functions of MIC19 in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain unknown and need to be investigated. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats injected with autologous blood obtained from the caudal artery, and cultured neurons exposed to oxygen hemoglobin (OxyHb) were used to establish and emulate the ICH model in vivo and in vitro. Lentiviral vector encoding MIC19 or MIC19 short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) was constructed and administered to rats by intracerebroventricular injection to overexpress or knock down MIC19, respectively. First, MIC19 protein levels were increased after ICH modeling. After virus transfection and subsequent ICH modeling, we observed that overexpression of MIC19 could mitigate cell apoptosis and neuronal death, as well as abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and function, oxidative stress within mitochondria, and neurobehavioral deficits in rats following ICH. Conversely, knockdown of MIC19 had the opposite effect. Moreover, we found that the connection between MIC19 and SAM50 was disrupted after ICH, which may be a reason for the impairment of the mitochondrial structure after ICH. In conclusion, MIC19 exerts a protective role in the subsequent injury induced by ICH. The investigation of MIC19 may offer clinicians novel therapeutic insights for patients afflicted with ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xulong Yin
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jiahe Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Qing Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
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Chen JX, Zhi JW, Wang YP, Ning B. LncRNA-PEAK1 promotes neuronal apoptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage by miR-466i-5p/caspase 8 axis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15091. [PMID: 37095973 PMCID: PMC10121795 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background At present, the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury (ISB) is limited, and the curative effect is not good. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play a role in ISB after ICH. We preliminarily monitored the induction effect of lncRNA-pseudopodium-enriched atypical kinase 1 (PEAK1) on neuronal cell apoptosis after ICH through our previous study and further experimental verification. However, the specific role and mechanism of lncRNA-PEAK1 in neuronal cell apoptosis after ICH have not been reported. Methods ICH cell models were established with hemin. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, respectively. Moreover, lncRNA expression associated with apoptosis was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The biological functions of lncRNA-PEAK1, miR-466i-5p, and caspase8 were conducted in vitro. Further, we used bioinformatics, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and rescue experiments to understand the mechanisms of competitive endogenous RNAs. Results qRT-PCR revealed that lncRNA-PEAK1 was markedly upregulated in ICH cell models. LncRNA-PEAK1 knockdown decreased the interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, promoted cell proliferation, weakened cell apoptosis, and downregulated the key molecular protein levels involved in the cell apoptosis pathway. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that lncRNA bound to miR-466i-5p, and caspase 8 was a target of miR-466i-5p. The mechanistic analysis demonstrated that lncRNA-PEAK1/miR-466i-5p promoted neuronal cell apoptosis by activating the apoptosis pathway through caspase8 after ICH. Conclusion Collectively, our investigation identified that the lncRNA-PEAK1/miR-446i-5p/caspase8 axis is closely related to neuronal cell apoptosis after ICH. Additionally, lncRNA-PEAK1 may be a potential target for ICH intervention.
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Yin X, Wang J, Yang S, Li H, Shen H, Wang H, Li X, Chen G. Sam50 exerts neuroprotection by maintaining the mitochondrial structure during experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:2230-2244. [PMID: 36074556 PMCID: PMC9627377 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the role of Sam50, a barrel protein on the surface of the mitochondrial outer membrane, in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was established in vivo, and cultured neurons were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to simulate I/R injury in vitro. Lentiviral vector encoding Sam50 or Sam50 shRNA was constructed and administered to rats by intracerebroventricular injection to overexpress and knockdown Sam50, respectively. RESULTS First, after MCAO/R induction, the mitochondrial structure was damaged, and Sam50 protein levels were increased responsively both in vivo and in vitro. Then, it was found that Sam50 overexpression could reduce infarction size, inhibit neuronal cell death, improve neurobehavioral disability, protect mitochondrial structure integrity, and ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction, which was induced by I/R injury both in vivo and in vitro. However, Sam50 downregulation showed the opposite results and aggravated I/R injury by inducing neuronal cell death, neurobehavioral disability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we found that the interaction between Sam50 and Mic19 was broken off after OGD/R, showing that the Sam50-Mic19-Mic60 axis was breakage in neurons, which would be a reason for mitochondrial structure and function abnormalities induced by I/R injury. CONCLUSION Sam50 played a vital role in the protection of neurons and mitochondria in cerebral I/R injury, which could be a novel target for mitochondrial protection and ameliorating I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xulong Yin
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Jiahe Wang
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Siyuan Yang
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Haiying Li
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Haitao Shen
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Xiang Li
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Gang Chen
- Institute of Stroke ResearchSoochow UniversitySuzhouChina,Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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Pan Y, Liu J, Ren J, Luo Y, Sun X. Epac: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Vascular Diseases: A Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:929152. [PMID: 35910387 PMCID: PMC9330031 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.929152] [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: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular diseases affect the circulatory system and comprise most human diseases. They cause severe symptoms and affect the quality of life of patients. Recently, since their identification, exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) have attracted increasing scientific interest, because of their role in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, a well-known signal transduction pathway. The role of Epac in cardiovascular disease and cancer is extensively studied, whereas their role in kidney disease has not been comprehensively explored yet. In this study, we aimed to review recent studies on the regulatory effects of Epac on various vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that both Epac1 and Epac2 play important roles in vascular diseases under both physiological and pathological conditions. Additionally, there has been an increasing focus on Epac pharmacological modulators. Therefore, we speculated that Epac could serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiahui Ren
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun,
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun,
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Musheshe N, Oun A, Sabogal-Guáqueta AM, Trombetta-Lima M, Mitchel SC, Adzemovic A, Speek O, Morra F, van der Veen CHJT, Lezoualc’h F, Cheng X, Schmidt M, Dolga AM. Pharmacological Inhibition of Epac1 Averts Ferroptosis Cell Death by Preserving Mitochondrial Integrity. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020314. [PMID: 35204198 PMCID: PMC8868285 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) proteins are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions including oxidative stress and cell survival. Mitochondrial-dependent oxidative stress has been associated with progressive neuronal death underlying the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases. The role of Epac modulation in neuronal cells in relation to cell survival and death, as well as its potential effect on mitochondrial function, is not well established. In immortalized hippocampal (HT-22) neuronal cells, we examined mitochondria function in the presence of various Epac pharmacological modulators in response to oxidative stress due to ferroptosis. Our study revealed that selective pharmacological modulation of Epac1 or Epac2 isoforms, exerted differential effects in erastin-induced ferroptosis conditions in HT-22 cells. Epac1 inhibition prevented cell death and loss of mitochondrial integrity induced by ferroptosis, while Epac2 inhibition had limited effects. Our data suggest Epac1 as a plausible therapeutic target for preventing ferroptosis cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nshunge Musheshe
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (N.M.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Asmaa Oun
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Angélica María Sabogal-Guáqueta
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Marina Trombetta-Lima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Sarah C. Mitchel
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Ahmed Adzemovic
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Oliver Speek
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Francesca Morra
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Christina H. J. T. van der Veen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Frank Lezoualc’h
- Inserm UMR-1297, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université Toulouse Paul Sabatier, 31400 Toulouse, France;
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Integrative Biology & Pharmacology, Texas Therapeutics Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 7000, USA;
| | - Martina Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
- Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Amalia M. Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (A.O.); (A.M.S.-G.); (M.T.-L.); (S.C.M.); (A.A.); (O.S.); (F.M.); (C.H.J.T.v.d.V.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (N.M.); (A.M.D.)
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Effects and Mechanism of Oxymatrine Combined with Compound Yinchen Granules on the Apoptosis of Hepatocytes through the Akt/FoxO3a/Bim Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:8644356. [PMID: 35036441 PMCID: PMC8758272 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8644356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of oxymatrine (OMT) combined with compound yinchen granules (CYG) on the apoptosis of hepatocytes through the Akt/FoxO3a/Bim pathway in rats with acute liver failure. The rat model of acute liver failure was established using lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN). The expression of proteins in rat liver tissues was detected by western blot analysis. The mRNA expression of FoxO3a, Bim, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in rat liver tissues was detected by RT-qPCR. The apoptosis rate of rat hepatocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Western blots showed that when compared with the normal group, the expression of p-Akt and p-FoxO3a in the model group was decreased (
), while the expression of Bim was increased (
). Compared with the model group, the expression of p-Akt and p-FoxO3a in the OMT group and the OMT combined with CYG groups was increased (
or
), while the expression of Bim was decreased (
). The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 protein expression in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (
). The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the expression of caspase-3 protein in the OMT group and the OMT combined with CYG groups were significantly lower than those in the model group (
). The results of RT-qPCR were consistent with those of western blot. The results of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in the OMT group and the OMT combined with CYG groups was significantly lower than that in the model group (
or
). We concluded that LPS/D-GalN can induce apoptosis of hepatocytes in rats with acute liver failure through the Akt/FoxO3a/Bim pathway. OMT combined with CYG inhibits apoptosis of hepatocytes in rats with acute liver failure via the Akt/FoxO3a/Bim pathway.
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Liu J, Xu S, Liu S, Chen B. miR‑3613‑3p/MAP3K2/p38/caspase‑3 pathway regulates the heat‑stress‑induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:633. [PMID: 34278472 PMCID: PMC8280962 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have identified microRNA (miRNA/miR)-3613-3p as a heat stress (HS)-related miRNA in endothelial cells that can lead to apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying the miR-3613-3p-mediated apoptosis of HS-exposed endothelial cells remains unclear. In the present study, western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to determine protein and miRNA expression levels, respectively. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, caspase-3 activity measurements and DNA fragmentation assays were performed to detect apoptosis. To evaluate whether mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2) was a direct target of miR-3613-3p, a luciferase reporter assay was performed. In addition, transient transfection was used to carry out loss- and gain-of-function experiments. The results revealed that miR-3613-3p expression was reduced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) following HS, which led to apoptosis. Mechanistically, following HS, a decrease in miR-3613-3p binding to the 3′-untranslated region of MAP3K2 directly upregulated its expression, and the downstream p38 and caspase-3 pathways, thereby leading to apoptosis. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that HS suppressed miR-3613-3p expression, which activated the MAP3K2/p38/caspase-3 pathway, leading to the apoptosis of HUVECs. In conclusion, the miR-3613-3p/MAP3K2/p38/caspase-3 pathway may serve an indispensable role in regulating the progression of apoptosis, indicating a regulatory role of miR-3613-3p in the pathophysiology of HS-exposed endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Hefei Boe Hospital Co., Ltd., Hefei, Anhui 230011, P.R. China
| | - Siya Xu
- Department of Emergency, Central Theater General Hospital of The People's Liberation Army of China, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Shixin Liu
- Department of Emergency, Central Theater General Hospital of The People's Liberation Army of China, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Bingguan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Hefei Boe Hospital Co., Ltd., Hefei, Anhui 230011, P.R. China
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Deng R, Wang W, Xu X, Ding J, Wang J, Yang S, Li H, Shen H, Li X, Chen G. Loss of MIC60 Aggravates Neuronal Death by Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:4999-5013. [PMID: 34232477 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02468-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial damage has been reported to be a critical factor for secondary brain injury (SBI) induced by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MIC60 is a key element of the mitochondrial contact site and cristae junction organizing system (MICOS), which takes a principal part in maintaining mitochondrial structure and function. The role of MIC60 and its underlying mechanisms in ICH-induced SBI are not clear, which will be investigated in this present study. To establish and emulate ICH model in vivo and in vitro, autologous blood was injected into the right basal ganglia of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats; and primary-cultured cortical neurons were treated by oxygen hemoglobin (OxyHb). First, after ICH induction, mitochondria were damaged and exhibited mitochondrial crista-structure remodeling, and MIC60 protein levels were reduced. Furthermore, MIC60 overexpression reduced ICH-induced neuronal death both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, MIC60 upregulation reduced ICH-induced cerebral edema, neurobehavioral impairment, and cognitive dysfunction; by contrast, MIC60 knockdown had the opposite effect. Additionally, in primary-cultured neurons, MIC60 overexpression could reverse ICH-induced neuronal cell death and apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, and decrease of mitophagy, indicating that MIC60 overexpression can maintain the integrity of mitochondrial structures. Moreover, loss of MIC60 is after ICH-induced reduction in PINK1 levels and mislocalization of Parkin in primary-cultured neurons. Taken together, our findings suggest that MIC60 plays an important role in ICH-induced SBI and may represent a promising target for ICH therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruming Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The People's Hospital of Bozhou, Bozhou, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jiasheng Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jiahe Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Siyuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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10
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Abstract
The well-known second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates the morphology and physiology of neurons and thus higher cognitive brain functions. The discovery of exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap GTPases has shed light on protein kinase A (PKA)-independent functions of cAMP signaling in neural tissues. Studies of cAMP-Epac-mediated signaling in neurons under normal and disease conditions also revealed its diverse contributions to neurodevelopment, synaptic remodeling, and neurotransmitter release, as well as learning, memory, and emotion. In this mini-review, the various roles of Epac isoforms, including Epac1 and Epac2, highly expressed in neural tissues are summarized, and controversies or issues are highlighted that need to be resolved to uncover the critical functions of Epac in neural tissues and the potential for a new therapeutic target of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungmin Lee
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
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11
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Guijarro-Belmar A, Domanski DM, Bo X, Shewan D, Huang W. The therapeutic potential of targeting exchange protein directly activated by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (Epac) for central nervous system trauma. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:460-469. [PMID: 32985466 PMCID: PMC7996029 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide are affected by traumatic spinal cord injury, which usually results in permanent sensorimotor disability. Damage to the spinal cord leads to a series of detrimental events including ischaemia, haemorrhage and neuroinflammation, which over time result in further neural tissue loss. Eventually, at chronic stages of traumatic spinal cord injury, the formation of a glial scar, cystic cavitation and the presence of numerous inhibitory molecules act as physical and chemical barriers to axonal regrowth. This is further hindered by a lack of intrinsic regrowth ability of adult neurons in the central nervous system. The intracellular signalling molecule, cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP), is known to play many important roles in the central nervous system, and elevating its levels as shown to improve axonal regeneration outcomes following traumatic spinal cord injury in animal models. However, therapies directly targeting cAMP have not found their way into the clinic, as cAMP is ubiquitously present in all cell types and its manipulation may have additional deleterious effects. A downstream effector of cAMP, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2 (Epac2), is mainly expressed in the adult central nervous system, and its activation has been shown to mediate the positive effects of cAMP on axonal guidance and regeneration. Recently, using ex vivo modelling of traumatic spinal cord injury, Epac2 activation was found to profoundly modulate the post-lesion environment, such as decreasing the activation of astrocytes and microglia. Pilot data with Epac2 activation also suggested functional improvement assessed by in vivo models of traumatic spinal cord injury. Therefore, targeting Epac2 in traumatic spinal cord injury could represent a novel strategy in traumatic spinal cord injury repair, and future work is needed to fully establish its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Guijarro-Belmar
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen; Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dominik Mateusz Domanski
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Xuenong Bo
- Center for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Derryck Shewan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Wenlong Huang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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12
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Luchowska-Stańska U, Morgan D, Yarwood SJ, Barker G. Selective small-molecule EPAC activators. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:1415-1427. [PMID: 31671184 PMCID: PMC6824682 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cellular signalling enzymes, EPAC1 and EPAC2, have emerged as key intracellular sensors of the secondary messenger cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) alongside protein kinase A. Interest has been galvanised in recent years thanks to the emergence of these species as potential targets for new cardiovascular disease therapies, including vascular inflammation and insulin resistance in vascular endothelial cells. We herein summarise the current state-of-the-art in small-molecule EPAC activity modulators, including cyclic nucleotides, sulphonylureas, and N-acylsulphonamides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Luchowska-Stańska
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics, and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K
| | - David Morgan
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K
| | - Stephen J. Yarwood
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics, and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K
| | - Graeme Barker
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K
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13
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Epac2 Elevation Reverses Inhibition by Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans In Vitro and Transforms Postlesion Inhibitory Environment to Promote Axonal Outgrowth in an Ex Vivo Model of Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8330-8346. [PMID: 31409666 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0374-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of patients suffer from debilitating spinal cord injury (SCI) without effective treatments. Elevating cAMP promotes CNS neuron growth in the presence of growth-inhibiting molecules. cAMP's effects on neuron growth are partly mediated by Epac, comprising Epac1 and Epac2; the latter predominantly expresses in postnatal neural tissue. Here, we hypothesized that Epac2 activation would enhance axonal outgrowth after SCI. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated, for the first time, that Epac2 activation using a specific soluble agonist (S-220) significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth of postnatal rat cortical neurons and markedly overcame the inhibition by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and mature astrocytes on neuron growth. We further investigated the novel potential of Epac2 activation in promoting axonal outgrowth by an ex vivo rat model of SCI mimicking post-SCI environment in vivo and by delivering S-220 via a self-assembling Fmoc-based hydrogel that has suitable properties for SCI repair. We demonstrated that S-220 significantly enhanced axonal outgrowth across the lesion gaps in the organotypic spinal cord slices, compared with controls. Furthermore, we elucidated, for the first time, that Epac2 activation profoundly modulated the lesion environment by reducing astrocyte/microglial activation and transforming astrocytes into elongated morphology that guided outgrowing axons. Finally, we showed that S-220, when delivered by the gel at 3 weeks after contusion SCI in male adult rats, resulted in significantly better locomotor performance for up to 4 weeks after treatment. Our data demonstrate a promising therapeutic potential of S-220 in SCI, via beneficial effects on neurons and glia after injury to facilitate axonal outgrowth.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT During development, neuronal cAMP levels decrease significantly compared with the embryonic stage when the nervous system is established. This has important consequences following spinal cord injury, as neurons fail to regrow. Elevating cAMP levels encourages injured CNS neurons to sprout and extend neurites. We have demonstrated that activating its downstream effector, Epac2, enhances neurite outgrowth in vitro, even in the presence of an inhibitory environment. Using a novel biomaterial-based drug delivery system in the form of a hydrogel to achieve local delivery of an Epac2 agonist, we further demonstrated that specific activation of Epac2 enhances axonal outgrowth and minimizes glial activation in an ex vivo model of spinal cord injury, suggesting a new strategy for spinal cord repair.
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