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Cheng A, Jia W, Finkelstein DI, Stefanova N, Wang H, Sasaki T, Kawahata I, Fukunaga K. Pharmacological inhibition of FABP7 by MF 6 counteracts cerebellum dysfunction in an experimental multiple system atrophy mouse model. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:66-75. [PMID: 37605049 PMCID: PMC10770047 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (αSyn) in glial cells, leading to the formation of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCI). We previous found that glial fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7) played a crucial role in alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and toxicity in oligodendrocytes, inhibition of FABP7 by a specific inhibitor MF 6 reduced αSyn aggregation and enhanced cell viability in cultured cell lines and mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. In this study we investigated whether MF 6 ameliorated αSyn-associated pathological processes in PLP-hαSyn transgenic mice (PLP-αSyn mice), a wildly used MSA mouse model with overexpressing αSyn in oligodendroglia under the proteolipid protein (PLP) promoter. PLP-αSyn mice were orally administered MF6 (0.1, 1 mg ·kg-1 ·d-1) for 32 days starting from the age of 6 months. We showed that oral administration of MF 6 significantly improved motor function assessed in a pole test, and reduced αSyn aggregation levels in both cerebellum and basal ganglia of PLP-αSyn mice. Moreover, MF 6 administration decreased oxidative stress and inflammation levels, and improved myelin levels and Purkinje neuron morphology in the cerebellum. By using mouse brain tissue slices and αSyn aggregates-treated KG-1C cells, we demonstrated that MF 6 reduced αSyn propagation to Purkinje neurons and oligodendrocytes through regulating endocytosis. Overall, these results suggest that MF 6 improves cerebellar functions in MSA by inhibiting αSyn aggregation and propagation. We conclude that MF 6 is a promising compound that warrants further development for the treatment of MSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - David I Finkelstein
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Laboratory for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Haoyang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
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Cheng A, Cai B, Fukunaga K, Sasaki T, Lakkaraju A. Feasibility and considerations of epsin2 as a candidate target for multiple system atrophy treatment. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:1031-1034. [PMID: 37902421 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2277227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- An Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Bo Cai
- Department of chemistry, Purdue university, West Lafayett, IN, USA
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Aparna Lakkaraju
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Jia W, Kawahata I, Cheng A, Sasaki T, Sasaoka T, Fukunaga K. Amelioration of Nicotine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference Behaviors in Mice by an FABP3 Inhibitor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076644. [PMID: 37047614 PMCID: PMC10095245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that fatty acid-binding protein 3 null (FABP3−/−) mice exhibit resistance to nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Here, we confirm that the FABP3 inhibitor, MF1 ((4-(2-(1-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenoxy) butanoic acid), successfully reduces nicotine-induced CPP scores in mice. MF1 (0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg) was orally administered 30 min before nicotine, and CPP scores were assessed in the conditioning, withdrawal, and relapse phases. MF1 treatment decreased CPP scores in a dose-dependent manner. Failure of CPP induction by MF1 (1.0 mg/kg, p.o.) was associated with the inhibition of both CaMKII and ERK activation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and hippocampal CA1 regions. MF1 treatment reduced nicotine-induced increases in phosphorylated CaMKII and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)-positive cells. Importantly, the increase in dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) levels following chronic nicotine exposure was inhibited by MF1 treatment. Moreover, the quinpirole (QNP)-induced increase in the level of CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation was significantly inhibited by MF1 treatment of cultured NAc slices from wild type (WT) mice; however, QNP treatment had no effect on CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation levels in the NAc of D2R null mice. Taken together, these results show that MF1 treatment suppressed D2R/FABP3 signaling, thereby preventing nicotine-induced CPP induction. Hence, MF1 can be used as a novel drug to block addiction to nicotine and other drugs by inhibiting the dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - An Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Toshikuni Sasaoka
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- BRI Pharma Inc., Sendai 982-0804, Japan
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Guo Q, Kawahata I, Jia W, Wang H, Cheng A, Yabuki Y, Shioda N, Fukunaga K. α-Synuclein decoy peptide protects mice against α-synuclein-induced memory loss. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:1547-1560. [PMID: 36786129 PMCID: PMC10173724 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS We previously found that a decoy peptide derived from the C-terminal sequence of α-Synuclein (αSyn) prevents cytotoxic αSyn aggregation caused by fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) in vitro. In this study, we continued to utilize αSyn-derived peptides to further validate their effects on αSyn neurotoxicity and behavioral impairments in αSyn preformed fibrils (PFFs)-injected mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS Mice were injected with αSyn PFFs in the bilateral olfactory bulb (OB) and then were subjected to behavioral analysis at 2-week intervals post-injection. Peptides nasal administration was initiated one week after injection. Changes in phosphorylation of αSyn and neuronal damage in the OB were measured using immunostaining at week 4. The effect of peptides on the interaction between αSyn and FABP3 was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS αSyn PFF-injected mice showed significant memory loss but no motor function impairment. Long-term nasal treatment with peptides effectively prevented memory impairment. In peptide-treated αSyn PFF-injected mice, the peptides entered the OB smoothly through the nasal cavity and were mainly concentrated in neurons in the mitral cell layer, significantly suppressing the excessive phosphorylation of αSyn and reducing the formation of αSyn-FABP3 oligomers, thereby preventing neuronal death. The addition of peptides also blocked the interaction of αSyn and FABP3 at the recombinant protein level, and its effect was strongest at molar concentrations comparable to those of αSyn and FABP3. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the αSyn decoy peptide represents a novel therapeutic approach for reducing the accumulation of toxic αSyn-FABP3 oligomers in the brain, thereby preventing the progression of synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research & Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.,Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Haoyang Wang
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - An Cheng
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yabuki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,BRI Pharma Incorporated, Sendai, Japan
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Fan L, Chen H, Liu Y, Hou H, Hu Q. ERK signaling is required for nicotine-induced conditional place preference by regulating neuroplasticity genes expression in male mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 222:173510. [PMID: 36565790 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine is an addictive compound that interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), inducing a release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). When neurons undergo repeated exposure to nicotine, several adaptive changes in neuroplasticity occur. Activation of nAChRs involves numerous intracellular signaling cascades that likely contribute to neuroplasticity and ultimately the establishment of nicotine addiction. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying this adaptation remain unclear. To explore the effects of nicotine on neuroplasticity, a stable nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) model was constructed by intravenous injection in mice. Using a PCR array, we observed significant changes in the expression of synaptic plasticity-related genes in the VTA (16 mRNAs) and NAc (40 mRNAs). When mice were pre-treated with PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, more gene expression changes in the VTA (53 mRNAs) and NAc (60 mRNAs) were found. Moreover, PD98059 pre-treatment blocked the increased p-ERK/ERK and p-CREB/CREB ratios and decreased the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins such as SAP102, PSD95, synaptophysin, and BDNF, these changes might contribute to preventing the establishment of nicotine-induced CPP. Furthermore, neurons from the VTA and NAc of nicotine CPP mice had an increased dendritic spine density and complexity of dendritic morphology by Golgi staining. PD98059 also blocked this dynamic. These results demonstrate that repeated exposure to nicotine may remold the expression of neuroplasticity-related genes by activating the ERK signaling pathway in the VTA and NAc, and is related to the establishment of nicotine-induced CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Fan
- Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China; China National Tobacco Quality Supervision & Test Center, Zhengzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, Zhengzhou, PR China; Beijing Institute of Life Science and Technology, Beijing, China; Key Labortory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Chen
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision & Test Center, Zhengzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, Zhengzhou, PR China; Beijing Institute of Life Science and Technology, Beijing, China; Key Labortory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China.
| | - Hongwei Hou
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision & Test Center, Zhengzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, Zhengzhou, PR China; Beijing Institute of Life Science and Technology, Beijing, China; Key Labortory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing, China.
| | - Qingyuan Hu
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision & Test Center, Zhengzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, Zhengzhou, PR China; Beijing Institute of Life Science and Technology, Beijing, China; Key Labortory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing, China.
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Kawahata I, Fukunaga K. Endocytosis of dopamine receptor: Signaling in brain. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 196:99-111. [PMID: 36813367 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
This chapter describes the physiological significance of dopamine receptor endocytosis and the consequence of the receptor signaling. Endocytosis of dopamine receptors is regulated by many components such as clathrin, β-arrestin, caveolin, and Rab family proteins. The dopamine receptors escape from lysosomal digestion, and their recycling occurs rapidly, reinforcing the dopaminergic signal transduction. In addition, the pathological impact of the receptors interacting with specific proteins has been the focus of much attention. Based on this background, this chapter provides an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of molecules interacting with dopamine receptors and discusses the potential pharmacotherapeutic targets for α-synucleinopathies and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of CNS drug innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS drug innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
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Fatty acid-binding proteins 3 and 5 are involved in the initiation of mitochondrial damage in ischemic neurons. Redox Biol 2022; 59:102547. [PMID: 36481733 PMCID: PMC9727700 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that a fatty acid-binding protein7 (FABP7) inhibitor ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice, suggesting an association between FABPs and ischemic neuronal injury. However, the precise role of FABPs in ischemic neuronal injury remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of FABPs in ischemia-reperfusion neuronal injury. FABP3, FABP5, and FABP7 were upregulated in the ischemic penumbra regions in mice. However, only FABP3 and FABP5 were expressed in injured neurons. Furthermore, FABP3 and FABP5 accumulated in the mitochondria of ischemic neurons. Overexpressing either FABP3 or FABP5 aggravated the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells during oxidative stress. This damage was mediated by the formation of BAX-containing pores in the mitochondrial membrane. Moreover, FABP5 mediates lipid peroxidation and generates toxic by-products (i.e., 4-HNE) in SH-SY5Y cells. HY11-08 (HY08), a novel FABP3 and 5 inhibitor that does not act on FABP7, significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume and blocked FABP3/5-induced mitochondrial damage, including lipid peroxidation and BAX-related apoptotic signaling. Thus, FABP3 and FABP5 are key players in triggering mitochondrial damage in ischemic neurons. In addition, the novel FABP inhibitor, HY08, may be a potential neuroprotective treatment for ischemic stroke.
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He X, Zhang T, Zeng Y, Pei P, Liu Y, Jia W, Zhao H, Bi M, Wang S. Sodium butyrate mediates histone crotonylation and alleviated neonatal rats hypoxic–ischemic brain injury through gut–brain axis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:993146. [PMID: 36338029 PMCID: PMC9631217 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.993146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) refers to nervous system damage caused by perinatal hypoxia, which is the major cause of long-term neuro-developmental disorders in surviving infants. However, the mechanisms still require further investigation. In this study, we found that the butanoate metabolism pathway exhibited significantly decreased and short chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, especially butyrate-producing bacteria, were significantly decreased in fecal of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic brain damage (HIBD) rats. Surprisingly, Sodium butyrate (SB) treatment could ameliorate pathological damage both in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and facilitate recovery of SCFAs-producing bacteria related to metabolic pathways in neonatal HIBD rats. Moreover, we found that in samples from SB treatment neonatal HIBD rats cortex with high levels of butyrate acid along with aberrant key crotonyl-CoA-producing enzymes ACADS levels were observed compared HIBD rats. We also demonstrated that a decrease in histone 3-lysine 9-crotonylation (H3K9cr) downregulated expression of the HIE-related neurotrophic genes Bdnf, Gdnf, Cdnf, and Manf in HIBD rats. Furthermore, SB restored H3K9cr binding to HIE-related neurotrophic genes. Collectively, our results indicate that SB contributes to ameliorate pathology of HIBD by altering gut microbiota and brain SCFAs levels subsequently affecting histone crotonylation-mediated neurotrophic-related genes expression. This may be a novel microbiological approach for preventing and treating HIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia He
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Yubing Zeng
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Pei
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Yulan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hongyang Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyang Zhao,
| | - Meirong Bi
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Meirong Bi,
| | - Shan Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
- Shan Wang,
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Morella I, Pohořalá V, Calpe-López C, Brambilla R, Spanagel R, Bernardi RE. Nicotine self-administration and ERK signaling are altered in RasGRF2 knockout mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:986566. [PMID: 36120353 PMCID: PMC9479000 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.986566] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been demonstrated to play a role in the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and alcohol, but has not been extensively examined in nicotine-related reward behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 2 (RasGRF2), an upstream mediator of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, on nicotine self-administration (SA) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. We first demonstrated that acute nicotine exposure (0.4 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in the striatum, consistent with previous reports. We also demonstrated that increases in pERK1/2 resulting from acute (0.4 mg/kg) and repeated (0.4 mg/kg, 10 daily injections) exposure to nicotine in WT mice were not present in RasGRF2 KO mice, confirming that RasGRF2 at least partly regulates the activity of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway following nicotine exposure. We then performed intravenous nicotine SA (0.03 mg/kg/infusion for 10 days) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. Consistent with a previous report using cocaine SA, RasGRF2 KO mice demonstrated an increase in nicotine SA relative to WT controls. These findings suggest a role for RasGRF2 in the reinforcing effects of nicotine, and implicate the Ras-ERK signaling pathway as a common mediator of the response to drugs of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Morella
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Veronika Pohořalá
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Calpe-López
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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A novel fatty acid-binding protein 5 and 7 inhibitor ameliorates oligodendrocyte injury in multiple sclerosis mouse models. EBioMedicine 2021; 72:103582. [PMID: 34624687 PMCID: PMC8502714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by the demyelination of mature oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Recently, several studies have indicated the vital roles of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) 5 and 7 in regulating the immune response. METHODS We assessed a novel FABP5/FABP7 inhibitor, FABP ligand 6 (MF 6), as a potential therapeutic for MS therapy. In vivo, we established MOG35-55-administered experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice as an MS mouse model, followed by prophylactic and symptomatic treatment with MF 6. The therapeutic effect of MF 6 was determined using behavioural and biochemical analyses. In vitro, MF 6 effects on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were examined using both astrocyte primary culture and KG-1C cell lines. FINDINGS Prophylactic and symptomatic MF 6 therapy reduced myelin loss and clinical EAE symptoms. Furthermore, oxidative stress levels and GFAP-positive and ionised calcium-binding adaptor protein-1-positive cells were reduced in the spinal cord of MF 6-treated mice. In addition, MF 6 attenuated lipopolysaccharide-stimulated interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α accumulation in primary astrocyte culture. Moreover, MF 6 indicated a powerful protective function for the mitochondria in the oligodendrocytes of EAE mice via FABP5 inhibition. INTERPRETATIONS MF 6 is a potent inhibitor of FABP5 and FABP7; targeted inhibition of the two proteins may confer potential therapeutic effects in MS via immune inhibition and oligodendrocyte protection. FUNDING This work was supported by the Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (JP17dm0107071, JP18dm0107071, JP19dm0107071, and JP20dm0107071).
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Cheng A, Jia W, Kawahata I, Fukunaga K. Impact of Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins in α-Synuclein-Induced Mitochondrial Injury in Synucleinopathy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050560. [PMID: 34067791 PMCID: PMC8156290 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are diverse diseases with motor and cognitive dysfunction due to progressive neuronal loss or demyelination, due to oligodendrocyte loss in the brain. While the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is likely multifactorial, mitochondrial injury is one of the most vital factors in neuronal loss and oligodendrocyte dysfunction, especially in Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy body, multiple system atrophy, and Krabbe disease. In recent years, the abnormal accumulation of highly neurotoxic α-synuclein in the mitochondrial membrane, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, was well studied. Furthermore, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), which are members of a superfamily and are essential in fatty acid trafficking, were reported to trigger α-synuclein oligomerization in neurons and glial cells and to target the mitochondrial outer membrane, thereby causing mitochondrial loss. Here, we provide an updated overview of recent findings on FABP and α-synuclein interactions and mitochondrial injury in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Cheng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(22)-795-6837
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Guo Q, Kawahata I, Degawa T, Ikeda-Matsuo Y, Sun M, Han F, Fukunaga K. Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins Aggravate Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice. Biomedicines 2021; 9:529. [PMID: 34068550 PMCID: PMC8150391 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) regulate the intracellular dynamics of fatty acids, mediate lipid metabolism and participate in signaling processes. However, the therapeutic efficacy of targeting FABPs as novel therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia is not well established. Previously, we synthesized a novel FABP inhibitor, i.e., FABP ligand 6 [4-(2-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4-fluorophenoxy)butanoic acid] (referred to here as MF6). In this study, we analyzed the ability of MF6 to ameliorate transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and reperfusion-induced injury in mice. A single MF6 administration (3.0 mg/kg, per os) at 0.5 h post-reperfusion effectively reduced brain infarct volumes and neurological deficits. The protein-expression levels of FABP3, FABP5 and FABP7 in the brain gradually increased after tMCAO. Importantly, MF6 significantly suppressed infarct volumes and the elevation of FABP-expression levels at 12 h post-reperfusion. MF6 also inhibited the promotor activity of FABP5 in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). These data suggest that FABPs elevated infarct volumes after ischemic stroke and that inhibiting FABPs ameliorated the ischemic injury. Moreover, MF6 suppressed the inflammation-associated prostaglandin E2 levels through microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression in the ischemic hemispheres. Taken together, the results imply that the FABP inhibitor MF6 can potentially serve as a neuroprotective therapeutic for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (Q.G.); (I.K.); (T.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (Q.G.); (I.K.); (T.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Tomohide Degawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (Q.G.); (I.K.); (T.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Yuri Ikeda-Matsuo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanagawa-Machi, Kanazawa 920-1181, Japan;
| | - Meiling Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (Q.G.); (I.K.); (T.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Feng Han
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical School, Nanjing 211166, China;
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (Q.G.); (I.K.); (T.D.); (M.S.)
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