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Ceci C, Lacal PM, Barbaccia ML, Mercuri NB, Graziani G, Ledonne A. The VEGFs/VEGFRs system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: Pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107101. [PMID: 38336311 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ceci
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Barbaccia
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Neurology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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Zhao Y, Wang Y, Yang D, Suh K, Zhang M. A Computational Framework to Characterize the Cancer Drug Induced Effect on Aging Using Transcriptomic Data. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:906429. [PMID: 35847024 PMCID: PMC9277350 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.906429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapies may change or accelerate aging trajectories in cancer patients. Emerging evidence has shown that “omics” data can be used to study molecular changes of the aging process. Here, we integrated the drug-induced and normal aging transcriptomic data to computationally characterize the potential cancer drug-induced aging process in patients. Our analyses demonstrated that the aging-associated gene expression in the GTEx dataset can recapitulate the well-established aging hallmarks. We next characterized the drug-induced transcriptomic changes of 28 FDA approved cancer drugs in brain, kidney, muscle, and adipose tissues. Further drug-aging interaction analysis identified 34 potential drug regulated aging events. Those events include aging accelerating effects of vandetanib (Caprelsa®) and dasatinib (Sprycel®) in brain and muscle, respectively. Our result also demonstrated aging protective effect of vorinostat (Zolinza®), everolimus (Afinitor®), and bosutinib (Bosulif®) in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueshan Zhao
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yue Wang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Da Yang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kangho Suh
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Min Zhang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Min Zhang,
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Requejo C, López-de-Ipiña K, Ruiz-Ortega JÁ, Fernández E, Calvo PM, Morera-Herreras T, Miguelez C, Cardona-Grifoll L, Cepeda H, Ugedo L, Lafuente JV. Changes in Day/Night Activity in the 6-OHDA-Induced Experimental Model of Parkinson's Disease: Exploring Prodromal Biomarkers. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:590029. [PMID: 33154717 PMCID: PMC7591774 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.590029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for experimental models mimicking an early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) before motor manifestations is fundamental in order to explore early signs and get a better prognosis. Interestingly, our previous studies have indicated that 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a suitable model to induce an early degeneration of the nigrostriatal system without any gross motor impairment. Considering our previous findings, we aim to implement a novel system to monitor rats after intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA to detect and analyze physiological changes underlying prodromal PD. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally injected with 6-OHDA (n = 10) or saline solution (n = 10) into the right striatum and placed in enriched environment cages where the activity was monitored. After 2 weeks, the amphetamine test was performed before the sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry was developed for the morphological evaluation and western blot analysis to assess molecular changes. Home-cage monitoring revealed behavioral changes in response to 6-OHDA administration including significant hyperactivity and hypoactivity during the light and dark phase, respectively, turning out in a change of the circadian timing. A preclinical stage of PD was functionally confirmed with the amphetamine test. Moreover, the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase expression was significantly correlated with the motor results, and 6-OHDA induced early proapoptotic events. Our findings provide evidence for a novel prodromal 6-OHDA model following a customized monitoring system that could give insights to detect non-motor deficits and molecular targets to test neuroprotective/neurorestorative agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Requejo
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, The Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Karmele López-de-Ipiña
- EleKin Research Group, Department of Systems Engineering and Automation, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - José Ángel Ruiz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative diseases, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Elsa Fernández
- EleKin Research Group, Department of Systems Engineering and Automation, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia, Spain
| | - Pilar M. Calvo
- EleKin Research Group, Department of Systems Engineering and Automation, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia, Spain
| | - Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative diseases, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Cristina Miguelez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative diseases, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Laura Cardona-Grifoll
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Hodei Cepeda
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Luisa Ugedo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative diseases, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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Saltijeral SN, Cabanillas M, Kleiman A, Grosu HB. An unusual cause of respiratory failure. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL ENDOCRINOLOGY CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jecr.2020.100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Li W, Wei D, Lin J, Liang J, Xie X, Song K, Huang L. Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Reduces Cognitive Impairment Induced by Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Through GDNF/GFRα1/Ret Signaling Preventing Hippocampal Neuron Apoptosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:351. [PMID: 31456664 PMCID: PMC6701226 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal neuron death is a key factor in vascular dementia (VD) induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a multiple-effects drug. Therefore, the potential molecular mechanisms underlying CCH and its feasible treatment should be investigated. This study had two main purposes: first, to identify a potential biomarker in a rat model of CCH induced VD using antibody microarrays; and second, to explore the neuroprotective role of NBP at targeting the potential biomarker. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)/GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα1)/receptor tyrosine kinase (Ret) signaling is altered in the hippocampus of CCH rats; however, NBP treatment improved cognitive function, protected against hippocampal neuron apoptosis via regulation of GDNF/GFRα1/Ret, and activated the phosphorylation AKT (p-AKT) and ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) signaling. We also found that 1 h oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 48 h reperfusion (R) in cultured hippocampal neurons led to downregulation of GDNF/GFRα1/Ret. NBP upregulated the signaling and increased neuronal survival. Ret inhibitor (NVP-AST487) inhibits Ret and downstream effectors, including p-AKT and p-ERK1/2. Additionally, both GDNF and GFRα1 expression are markedly inhibited in hippocampal neurons by coincubation with NVP-AST487, particularly under conditions of OGD/R. GDNF/GFRα1/Ret signaling and neuronal viability can be maintained by NBP, which activates p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, increases expression of Bcl-2, and decreases expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. The current study showed that GDNF/GFRα1/Ret signaling plays an essential role in the CCH induced VD. NBP was protective against hippocampal neuron apoptosis, and this was associated with regulation of GDNF/GFRα1/Ret and AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, thus reducing cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxian Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Di Wei
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaxing Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianye Liang
- Medical Imaging Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangping Song
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li'an Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Lafuente JV, Requejo C, Carrasco A, Bengoetxea H. Nanoformulation: A Useful Therapeutic Strategy for Improving Neuroprotection and the Neurorestorative Potential in Experimental Models of Parkinson's Disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 137:99-122. [PMID: 29132545 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder, but current therapies are only symptomatic. Experimental models are necessary to go deeper in the comprehension of pathophysiological mechanism and to assess new therapeutic strategies. The unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion either in medial forebrain bundle (MFB) or into the striatum in rats affords to study various stages of PD depending on the evolution time lapsed. A promising alternative to address the neurodegenerative process is the use of neurotrophic factors; but its clinical use has been limited due to its short half-life and rapid degradation after in vivo administration, along with difficulties for crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining revealed a significant decrease of the TH-immunopositive striatal volume in 6-OHDA group from rostral to caudal one. The loss of TH-ir neurons and axodendritic network (ADN) was higher in caudal sections showing a selective vulnerability of the topological distributed dopaminergic system. In addition to a remarkable depletion of dopamine in the nigrostriatal system, the administration of 6-OHDA into MFB induces some other neuropathological changes such as an increase of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive cells in substantia nigra (SN) as well as in striatum. Intrastriatal implantation of micro- or nanosystems delivering neurotrophic factor in parkinsonized rats for bypassing BBB leads to a significative functional and morphological recovery. Neurorestorative morphological changes (preservation of the TH-ir cells and ADN) along the rostrocaudal axis of caudoputamen complex and SN have been probed supporting a selective recovering after the treatment as well. Others innovative therapeutic strategies, such as the intranasal delivery, have been recently assessed in order to search the NTF effects. In addition some others methodological key points are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose V Lafuente
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience (LaNCE), University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain.
| | - Catalina Requejo
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience (LaNCE), University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Alejandro Carrasco
- Group Nanoneurosurgery, Institute of Health Research Biocruces, Barakaldo, Spain; Service Neurosurgery, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Harkaitz Bengoetxea
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience (LaNCE), University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
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Requejo C, Ruiz-Ortega JA, Cepeda H, Sharma A, Sharma HS, Ozkizilcik A, Tian R, Moessler H, Ugedo L, Lafuente JV. Nanodelivery of Cerebrolysin and Rearing in Enriched Environment Induce Neuroprotective Effects in a Preclinical Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:286-299. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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