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Pai SK. Why women may be more prone to Alzheimer's disease. AGING BRAIN 2024; 6:100121. [PMID: 39044776 PMCID: PMC11263948 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2024.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sadashiva K Pai
- Science Mission LLC, Founder & CEO, 3424 Canyon Lake Dr, Little Elm, TX 75068, United States
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2
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Hasegawa S, Watanabe S, Fujimoto S, Kondo S, Nishi T. Characterization of soticlestat, a novel cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitor, in acute and chronic neurodegeneration models. Neurosci Res 2024:S0168-0102(24)00077-4. [PMID: 38897234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.06.005] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
We investigated whether soticlestat (TAK-935), a newly discovered cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H) inhibitor now in phase 3 clinical trials for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, has effects on neurodegeneration in both chronic and acute animal models associated with glutamate hyperexcitation. Soticlestat was administered at doses that approximately halve 24S-hydroxycholesterol in both experiments. In the kainic acid (KA)-induced acute hippocampal degeneration model, soticlestat ameliorated inflammatory cytokine expression, hippocampal degeneration, and memory impairment. We ruled out the possibility that soticlestat directly interferes with KA binding to the KA receptor, or that 24S-hydroxycholesterol modulates KA receptor signaling, by conducting receptor binding and cell death assays. In the PS19 chronic degeneration model of tauopathy, treatment effects were observed in neurodegeneration markers. Notably, there was a significant correlation between the levels of brain 24S-hydroxycholesterol and a proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, which is implicated in cognitive decline and lowering of seizure threshold. This is the first study demonstrating that CH24H inhibition can alleviate neurodegeneration concomitant with neuroinflammation. Herein, we discuss the interplay among 24S-hydroxycholesterol production, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. Effects on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation demonstrated in two preclinical models suggest that soticlestat is effective in ameliorating seizures and addressing cognitive dysfunction in seizure disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Hasegawa
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Sayuri Watanabe
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Shinji Fujimoto
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Kondo
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 2-26-1 Muraoka Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan.
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3
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Bu X, Yang L, Han X, Liu S, Lu X, Wan J, Zhang X, Tang P, Zhang W, Zhong L. DHM/SERS reveals cellular morphology and molecular changes during iPSCs-derived activation of astrocytes. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:4010-4023. [PMID: 38867782 PMCID: PMC11166415 DOI: 10.1364/boe.524356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The activation of astrocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is of great significance in neuroscience research, and it is crucial to obtain both cellular morphology and biomolecular information non-destructively in situ, which is still complicated by the traditional optical microscopy and biochemical methods such as immunofluorescence and western blot. In this study, we combined digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to investigate the activation characteristics of iPSCs-derived astrocytes. It was found that the projected area of activated astrocytes decreased by 67%, while the cell dry mass increased by 23%, and the cells changed from a flat polygonal shape to an elongated star-shaped morphology. SERS analysis further revealed an increase in the intensities of protein spectral peaks (phenylalanine 1001 cm-1, proline 1043 cm-1, etc.) and lipid-related peaks (phosphatidylserine 524 cm-1, triglycerides 1264 cm-1, etc.) decreased in intensity. Principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) modeling based on spectral data distinguished resting and reactive astrocytes with a high accuracy of 96.5%. The increase in dry mass correlated with the increase in protein content, while the decrease in projected area indicated the adjustment of lipid composition and cell membrane remodeling. Importantly, the results not only reveal the cellular morphology and molecular changes during iPSCs-derived astrocytes activation but also reflect their mapping relationship, thereby providing new insights into diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Bu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liwei Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xianxin Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shengde Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaoxu Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianhui Wan
- Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication of Ministry of Education, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication of Ministry of Education, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication of Ministry of Education, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication of Ministry of Education, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liyun Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication of Ministry of Education, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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4
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Mast N, Butts M, Pikuleva IA. Unbiased insights into the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects in 5XFAD mice treated with low dose-efavirenz. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100555. [PMID: 38719151 PMCID: PMC11176809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) is the CNS-specific cholesterol 24-hydroxylase that controls cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain. In mouse models, pharmacologic CYP46A1 activation with low-dose efavirenz or by gene therapy mitigates the manifestations of various brain disorders, neurologic, and nonneurologic, by affecting numerous, apparently unlinked biological processes. Accordingly, CYP46A1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target; however, the mechanisms underlying the multiplicity of the brain CYP46A1 activity effects are currently not understood. We proposed the chain reaction hypothesis, according to which CYP46A1 is important for the three primary (unifying) processes in the brain (sterol flux through the plasma membranes, acetyl-CoA, and isoprenoid production), which in turn affect a variety of secondary processes. We already identified several processes secondary to changes in sterol flux and herein undertook a multiomics approach to compare the brain proteome, acetylproteome, and metabolome of 5XFAD mice (an Alzheimer's disease model), control and treated with low-dose efavirenz. We found that the latter had increased production of phospholipids from the corresponding lysophospholipids and a globally increased protein acetylation (including histone acetylation). Apparently, these effects were secondary to increased acetyl-CoA production. Signaling of small GTPases due to their altered abundance or abundance of their regulators could be affected as well, potentially via isoprenoid biosynthesis. In addition, the omics data related differentially abundant molecules to other biological processes either reported previously or new. Thus, we obtained unbiased mechanistic insights and identified potential players mediating the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects and further detailed our chain reaction hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Makaya Butts
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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5
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Kellner S, Berlin S. Rescuing tri-heteromeric NMDA receptor function: the potential of pregnenolone-sulfate in loss-of-function GRIN2B variants. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:235. [PMID: 38795169 PMCID: PMC11127902 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05243-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs emerging from GRIN genes) are tetrameric receptors that form diverse channel compositions in neurons, typically consisting of two GluN1 subunits combined with two GluN2(A-D) subunits. During prenatal stages, the predominant channels are di-heteromers with two GluN1 and two GluN2B subunits due to the high abundance of GluN2B subunits. Postnatally, the expression of GluN2A subunits increases, giving rise to additional subtypes, including GluN2A-containing di-heteromers and tri-heteromers with GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B subunits. The latter emerge as the major receptor subtype at mature synapses in the hippocampus. Despite extensive research on purely di-heteromeric receptors containing two identical GRIN variants, the impact of a single variant on the function of other channel forms, notably tri-heteromers, is lagging. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of two de novo GRIN2B variants (G689C and G689S) in pure, mixed di- and tri-heteromers. Our findings reveal that incorporating a single variant in mixed di-heteromers or tri-heteromers exerts a dominant negative effect on glutamate potency, although 'mixed' channels show improved potency compared to pure variant-containing di-heteromers. We show that a single variant within a receptor complex does not impair the response of all receptor subtypes to the positive allosteric modulator pregnenolone-sulfate (PS), whereas spermine completely fails to potentiate tri-heteromers containing GluN2A and -2B-subunits. We examined PS on primary cultured hippocampal neurons transfected with the variants, and observed a positive impact over current amplitudes and synaptic activity. Together, our study supports previous observations showing that mixed di-heteromers exhibit improved glutamate potency and extend these findings towards the exploration of the effect of Loss-of-Function variants over tri-heteromers. Notably, we provide an initial and crucial demonstration of the beneficial effects of GRIN2B-relevant potentiators on tri-heteromers. Our results underscore the significance of studying how different variants affect distinct receptor subtypes, as these effects cannot be inferred solely from observations made on pure di-heteromers. Overall, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to understand the pathophysiology of GRINopathies and provides insights into potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Kellner
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Shai Berlin
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron Bat Galim, Haifa, 3525433, Israel.
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Ahmed H, Wang Y, Griffiths WJ, Levey AI, Pikuleva I, Liang SH, Haider A. Brain cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease: challenges and opportunities in probe and drug development. Brain 2024; 147:1622-1635. [PMID: 38301270 PMCID: PMC11068113 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol homeostasis is impaired in Alzheimer's disease; however, attempts to modulate brain cholesterol biology have not translated into tangible clinical benefits for patients to date. Several recent milestone developments have substantially improved our understanding of how excess neuronal cholesterol contributes to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, neuronal cholesterol was linked to the formation of amyloid-β and neurofibrillary tangles through molecular pathways that were recently delineated in mechanistic studies. Furthermore, remarkable advances in translational molecular imaging have now made it possible to probe cholesterol metabolism in the living human brain with PET, which is an important prerequisite for future clinical trials that target the brain cholesterol machinery in Alzheimer's disease patients-with the ultimate aim being to develop disease-modifying treatments. This work summarizes current concepts of how the biosynthesis, transport and clearance of brain cholesterol are affected in Alzheimer's disease. Further, current strategies to reverse these alterations by pharmacotherapy are critically discussed in the wake of emerging translational research tools that support the assessment of brain cholesterol biology not only in animal models but also in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Ahmed
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yuqin Wang
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - William J Griffiths
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Allan I Levey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Irina Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Steven H Liang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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Kim JB, Kim SJ, So M, Kim DK, Noh HR, Kim BJ, Choi YR, Kim D, Koo H, Kim T, Woo HG, Park SM. Artificial intelligence-driven drug repositioning uncovers efavirenz as a modulator of α-synuclein propagation: Implications in Parkinson's disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116442. [PMID: 38513596 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with an unclear etiology. Despite significant research efforts, developing disease-modifying treatments for PD remains a major unmet medical need. Notably, drug repositioning is becoming an increasingly attractive direction in drug discovery, and computational approaches offer a relatively quick and resource-saving method for identifying testable hypotheses that promote drug repositioning. We used an artificial intelligence (AI)-based drug repositioning strategy to screen an extensive compound library and identify potential therapeutic agents for PD. Our AI-driven analysis revealed that efavirenz and nevirapine, approved for treating human immunodeficiency virus infection, had distinct profiles, suggesting their potential effects on PD pathophysiology. Among these, efavirenz attenuated α-synuclein (α-syn) propagation and associated neuroinflammation in the brain of preformed α-syn fibrils-injected A53T α-syn Tg mice and α-syn propagation and associated behavioral changes in the C. elegans BiFC model. Through in-depth molecular investigations, we found that efavirenz can modulate cholesterol metabolism and mitigate α-syn propagation, a key pathological feature implicated in PD progression by regulating CYP46A1. This study opens new avenues for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying PD pathology and the exploration of additional drug candidates using advanced computational methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Bong Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | | | - Dong-Kyu Kim
- Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hye Rin Noh
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Beom Jin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Yu Ree Choi
- Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Doyoon Kim
- Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | | | | | - Hyun Goo Woo
- Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sang Myun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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Zhang X, Chen C, Liu Y. Navigating the metabolic maze: anomalies in fatty acid and cholesterol processes in Alzheimer's astrocytes. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:63. [PMID: 38521950 PMCID: PMC10960454 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01430-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and its underlying mechanisms have been a subject of great interest. The mainstream theory of AD pathology suggests that the disease is primarily associated with tau protein and amyloid-beta (Aβ). However, an increasing body of research has revealed that abnormalities in lipid metabolism may be an important event throughout the pathophysiology of AD. Astrocytes, as important members of the lipid metabolism network in the brain, play a significant role in this event. The study of abnormal lipid metabolism in astrocytes provides a new perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of AD. This review focuses on the abnormal metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) and cholesterol in astrocytes in AD, and discusses it from three perspectives: lipid uptake, intracellular breakdown or synthesis metabolism, and efflux transport. We found that, despite the accumulation of their own fatty acids, astrocytes cannot efficiently uptake fatty acids from neurons, leading to fatty acid accumulation within neurons and resulting in lipotoxicity. In terms of cholesterol metabolism, astrocytes exhibit a decrease in endogenous synthesis due to the accumulation of exogenous cholesterol. Through a thorough investigation of these metabolic abnormalities, we can provide new insights for future therapeutic strategies by literature review to navigate this complex metabolic maze and bring hope to patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Chuanying Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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9
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Mast N, Li Y, Pikuleva IA. 7,8-Dihydroxy Efavirenz Is Not as Effective in CYP46A1 Activation In Vivo as Efavirenz or Its 8,14-Dihydroxy Metabolite. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2242. [PMID: 38396919 PMCID: PMC10889178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
High dose (S)-efavirenz (EFV) inhibits the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme and is used to lower HIV load. Low-dose EFV allosterically activates CYP46A1, the key enzyme for cholesterol elimination from the brain, and is investigated as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Simultaneously, we evaluate EFV dihydroxymetabolites for in vivo brain effects to compare with those of (S)-EFV. We have already tested (rac)-8,14dihydroxy EFV on 5XFAD mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we treated 5XFAD mice with (rac)-7,8dihydroxy EFV. In both sexes, the treatment modestly activated CYP46A1 in the brain and increased brain content of acetyl-CoA and acetylcholine. Male mice also showed a decrease in the brain levels of insoluble amyloid β40 peptides. However, the treatment had no effect on animal performance in different memory tasks. Thus, the overall brain effects of (rac)-7,8dihydroxy EFV were weaker than those of EFV and (rac)-8,14dihydroxy EFV and did not lead to cognitive improvements as were seen in treatments with EFV and (rac)-8,14dihydroxy EFV. An in vitro study assessing CYP46A1 activation in co-incubations with EFV and (rac)-7,8dihydroxy EFV or (rac)-8,14dihydroxy EFV was carried out and provided insight into the compound doses and ratios that could be used for in vivo co-treatments with EFV and its dihydroxymetabolite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irina A. Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (N.M.); (Y.L.)
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Guo J, Chen S, Zhang Y, Liu J, Jiang L, Hu L, Yao K, Yu Y, Chen X. Cholesterol metabolism: physiological regulation and diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e476. [PMID: 38405060 PMCID: PMC10893558 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol homeostasis is crucial for cellular and systemic function. The disorder of cholesterol metabolism not only accelerates the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but is also the fundamental cause of other ailments. The regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the human is an extremely complex process. Due to the dynamic balance between cholesterol synthesis, intake, efflux and storage, cholesterol metabolism generally remains secure. Disruption of any of these links is likely to have adverse effects on the body. At present, increasing evidence suggests that abnormal cholesterol metabolism is closely related to various systemic diseases. However, the exact mechanism by which cholesterol metabolism contributes to disease pathogenesis remains unclear, and there are still unknown factors. In this review, we outline the metabolic process of cholesterol in the human body, especially reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Then, we discuss separately the impact of abnormal cholesterol metabolism on common diseases and potential therapeutic targets for each disease, including CVD, tumors, neurological diseases, and immune system diseases. At the end of this review, we focus on the effect of cholesterol metabolism on eye diseases. In short, we hope to provide more new ideas for the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases from the perspective of cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Guo
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Silong Chen
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Ying Zhang
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
- Institute of Translational MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Luyang Jiang
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Lidan Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthThe Children's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Yibo Yu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
- Institute of Translational MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang ProvinceChina
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11
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Latorre-Leal M, Rodriguez-Rodriguez P, Franchini L, Nikolidakis O, Daniilidou M, Delac L, Varshney MK, Arroyo-García LE, Eroli F, Winblad B, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Kivipelto M, Pacciarini M, Wang Y, Griffiths WJ, Björkhem I, Matton A, Nalvarte I, Merino-Serrais P, Cedazo-Minguez A, Maioli S. CYP46A1-mediated cholesterol turnover induces sex-specific changes in cognition and counteracts memory loss in ovariectomized mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj1354. [PMID: 38266095 PMCID: PMC10807813 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The brain-specific enzyme CYP46A1 controls cholesterol turnover by converting cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OH). Dysregulation of brain cholesterol turnover and reduced CYP46A1 levels are observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we report that CYP46A1 overexpression in aged female mice leads to enhanced estrogen signaling in the hippocampus and improved cognitive functions. In contrast, age-matched CYP46A1 overexpressing males show anxiety-like behavior, worsened memory, and elevated levels of 5α-dihydrotestosterone in the hippocampus. We report that, in neurons, 24OH contributes to these divergent effects by activating sex hormone signaling, including estrogen receptors. CYP46A1 overexpression in female mice protects from memory impairments induced by ovariectomy while having no effects in gonadectomized males. Last, we measured cerebrospinal fluid levels of 24OH in a clinical cohort of patients with AD and found that 24OH negatively correlates with neurodegeneration markers only in women. We suggest that CYP46A1 activation is a valuable pharmacological target for enhancing estrogen signaling in women at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Latorre-Leal
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patricia Rodriguez-Rodriguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luca Franchini
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Orestis Nikolidakis
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Makrina Daniilidou
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ljerka Delac
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mukesh K. Varshney
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luis E. Arroyo-García
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesca Eroli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Miia Kivipelto
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Yuqin Wang
- Swansea University Medical School, SA2 8PP Swansea, UK
| | | | - Ingemar Björkhem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Matton
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Paula Merino-Serrais
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Departamento de Neurobiología Funcional y de Sistemas, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Dias IHK, Shokr H. Oxysterols as Biomarkers of Aging and Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:307-336. [PMID: 38036887 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxysterols derive from either enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol. Even though they are produced as intermediates of bile acid synthesis pathway, they are recognised as bioactive compounds in cellular processes. Therefore, their absence or accumulation have been shown to be associated with disease phenotypes. This chapter discusses the contribution of oxysterol to ageing, age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and various disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic and ocular disorders. It is clear that oxysterols play a significant role in development and progression of these diseases. As a result, oxysterols are being investigated as suitable markers for disease diagnosis purposes and some drug targets are in development targeting oxysterol pathways. However, further research will be needed to confirm the suitability of these potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irundika H K Dias
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Hala Shokr
- Manchester Pharmacy School, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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13
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Petrov AM. Oxysterols in Central and Peripheral Synaptic Communication. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:91-123. [PMID: 38036877 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a key molecule for synaptic transmission, and both central and peripheral synapses are cholesterol rich. During intense neuronal activity, a substantial portion of synaptic cholesterol can be oxidized by either enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways to form oxysterols, which in turn modulate the activities of neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., NMDA and adrenergic receptors), signaling molecules (nitric oxide synthases, protein kinase C, liver X receptors), and synaptic vesicle cycling involved in neurotransmitters release. 24-Hydroxycholesterol, produced by neurons in the brain, could directly affect neighboring synapses and change neurotransmission. 27-Hydroxycholesterol, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, can alter both synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Increased generation of 25-hydroxycholesterol by activated microglia and macrophages could link inflammatory processes to learning and neuronal regulation. Amyloids and oxidative stress can lead to an increase in the levels of ring-oxidized sterols and some of these oxysterols (4-cholesten-3-one, 5α-cholestan-3-one, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol) have a high potency to disturb or modulate neurotransmission at both the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels. Overall, oxysterols could be used as "molecular prototypes" for therapeutic approaches. Analogs of 24-hydroxycholesterol (SGE-301, SGE-550, SAGE718) can be used for correction of NMDA receptor hypofunction-related states, whereas inhibitors of cholesterol 24-hydroxylase, cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol, and cholest-4-en-3-one oxime (olesoxime) can be utilized as potential anti-epileptic drugs and (or) protectors from excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey M Petrov
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", Kazan, RT, Russia.
- Kazan State Medial University, Kazan, RT, Russia.
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, RT, Russia.
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14
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Hu ZL, Yuan YQ, Tong Z, Liao MQ, Yuan SL, Jian Y, Yang JL, Liu WF. Reexamining the Causes and Effects of Cholesterol Deposition in the Brains of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6852-6868. [PMID: 37507575 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03529-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Numerous studies have shown that imbalances in cholesterol homeostasis in the brains of AD patients precede the onset of clinical symptoms. In addition, cholesterol deposition has been observed in the brains of AD patients even though peripheral cholesterol does not enter the brain through the blood‒brain barrier (BBB). Studies have demonstrated that cholesterol metabolism in the brain is associated with many pathological conditions, such as amyloid beta (Aβ) production, Tau protein phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In 2022, some scholars put forward a new hypothesis of AD: the disease involves lipid invasion and its exacerbation of the abnormal metabolism of cholesterol in the brain. In this review, by discussing the latest research progress, the causes and effects of cholesterol retention in the brains of AD patients are analyzed and discussed. Additionally, the possible mechanism through which AD may be improved by targeting cholesterol is described. Finally, we propose that improving the impairments in cholesterol removal observed in the brains of AD patients, instead of further reducing the already impaired cholesterol synthesis in the brain, may be the key to preventing cholesterol deposition and improving the corresponding pathological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Lin Hu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Yang-Qi Yuan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Zhen Tong
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Mei-Qing Liao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Shun-Ling Yuan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Ye Jian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Jia-Lun Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Wen-Feng Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Sports Rehabilitation, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China.
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
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15
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Tsitsou-Kampeli A, Suzzi S, Kenigsbuch M, Satomi A, Strobelt R, Singer O, Feldmesser E, Purnapatre M, Colaiuta SP, David E, Cahalon L, Hahn O, Wyss-Coray T, Shaul Y, Amit I, Schwartz M. Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase at the choroid plexus contributes to brain immune homeostasis. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101278. [PMID: 37944529 PMCID: PMC10694665 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The choroid plexus (CP) plays a key role in remotely controlling brain function in health, aging, and disease. Here, we report that CP epithelial cells express the brain-specific cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) and that its levels are decreased under different mouse and human brain conditions, including amyloidosis, aging, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using primary mouse CP cell cultures, we demonstrate that the enzymatic product of CYP46A1, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, downregulates inflammatory transcriptomic signatures within the CP, found here to be elevated across multiple neurological conditions. In vitro, the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) downregulates CYP46A1 expression, while overexpression of CYP46A1 or its pharmacological activation in mouse CP organ cultures increases resilience to TNF-α. In vivo, overexpression of CYP46A1 in the CP in transgenic mice with amyloidosis is associated with better cognitive performance and decreased brain inflammation. Our findings suggest that CYP46A1 expression in the CP impacts the role of this niche as a guardian of brain immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Suzzi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Mor Kenigsbuch
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Akisawa Satomi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Romano Strobelt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Oded Singer
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ester Feldmesser
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | | | - Eyal David
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liora Cahalon
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Oliver Hahn
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Shaul
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Schwartz
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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16
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Chen R. Cholesterol modulation of interactions between psychostimulants and dopamine transporters. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 99:35-59. [PMID: 38467486 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a key site of action for cocaine and amphetamines. Dysfunctional DAT is associated with aberrant synaptic dopamine transmission and enhanced drug-seeking and taking behavior. Studies in cultured cells and ex vivo suggest that DAT function is sensitive to membrane cholesterol content. Although it is largely unknown whether psychostimulants alter cholesterol metabolism in the brain, emerging evidence indicates that peripheral cholesterol metabolism is altered in patients with psychostimulant use disorder and circulating cholesterol levels are associated with vulnerability to relapse. Cholesterol interacts with sphingolipids forming lipid raft microdomains on the membrane. These cholesterol-rich lipid raft microdomains serve to recruit and assemble other lipids and proteins to initiate signal transduction. There are two spatially and functionally distinct populations of the DAT segregated by cholesterol-rich lipid raft microdomains and cholesterol-scarce non-raft microdomains on the plasma membrane. These two DAT populations are differentially regulated by DAT blockers (e.g. cocaine), substrates (e.g. amphetamine), and protein kinase C providing distinct cholesterol-dependent modulation of dopamine uptake and efflux. In this chapter, we summarize the impact of depletion and addition of membrane cholesterol on DAT conformational changes between the outward-facing and the inward-facing states, lipid raft-associated DAT localization, basal and induced DAT internalization, and DAT function. In particular, we focus on how the interactions of the DAT with cocaine and amphetamine are influenced by membrane cholesterol. Lastly, we discuss the therapeutic potential of cholesterol-modifying drugs as a new avenue to normalize DAT function and dopamine transmission in patients with psychostimulant use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Chen
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States.
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17
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El-Darzi N, Mast N, Li Y, Dailey B, Kang M, Rhee DJ, Pikuleva IA. The normalizing effects of the CYP46A1 activator efavirenz on retinal sterol levels and risk factors for glaucoma in Apoj -/- mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:194. [PMID: 37392222 PMCID: PMC10314885 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04848-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein J (APOJ) is a multifunctional protein with genetic evidence suggesting an association between APOJ polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease as well as exfoliation glaucoma. Herein we conducted ocular characterizations of Apoj-/- mice and found that their retinal cholesterol levels were decreased and that this genotype had several risk factors for glaucoma: increased intraocular pressure and cup-to-disk ratio and impaired retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. The latter was not due to RGC degeneration or activation of retinal Muller cells and microglia/macrophages. There was also a decrease in retinal levels of 24-hydroxycholesterol, a suggested neuroprotectant under glaucomatous conditions and a positive allosteric modulator of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors mediating the light-evoked response of the RGC. Therefore, Apoj-/- mice were treated with low-dose efavirenz, an allosteric activator of CYP46A1 which converts cholesterol into 24-hydroxycholesterol. Efavirenz treatment increased retinal cholesterol and 24-hydroxycholesterol levels, normalized intraocular pressure and cup-to-disk ratio, and rescued in part RGC function. Retinal expression of Abcg1 (a cholesterol efflux transporter), Apoa1 (a constituent of lipoprotein particles), and Scarb1 (a lipoprotein particle receptor) was increased in EVF-treated Apoj-/- mice, indicating increased retinal cholesterol transport on lipoprotein particles. Ocular characterizations of Cyp46a1-/- mice supported the beneficial efavirenz treatment effects via CYP46A1 activation. The data obtained demonstrate an important APOJ role in retinal cholesterol homeostasis and link this apolipoprotein to the glaucoma risk factors and retinal 24-hydroxycholesterol production by CYP46A1. As the CYP46A1 activator efavirenz is an FDA-approved anti-HIV drug, our studies suggest a new therapeutic approach for treatment of glaucomatous conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole El-Darzi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Brian Dailey
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Min Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Douglas J Rhee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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18
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Nazeri Z, Mohammadzadeh G, Rashidi M, Azizdoost S, Cheraghzadeh M, Kheirollah A. 24-Hydroxycholesterol Moderates the Effects of Amyloid-β on Expression of HMG-CoA Reductase and ABCA1 Proteins in Mouse Astrocytes. Adv Biomed Res 2023; 12:167. [PMID: 37564436 PMCID: PMC10410428 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_245_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated brain cholesterol increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Production of 24-hydroxycholesterol (24s-OHC) by neurons prevents cholesterol accumulation in the brain. In this study, we investigated the effect of 24s-OHC on the HMG-COA reductase and ABCA1 which are involved in the brain cholesterol homeostasis with or without β-amyloid in astrocytes. Methods and Materials Astrocytes were treated with 24s-OHC with or without Aβ. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction were done to detect protein and gene expression of β-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and ABCA1, respectively. Cholesterol release was determined using a quantitation kit. Results Protein levels of HMGCR and ABCA1 were significantly increased by Aβ; however, the 24s-OHC was able to restore their levels and diminish the effect of amyloid-β. Aβ did not have a significant effect on HMGCR expression, while 24s-OHC reduced it by 68%. Aβ-induced ABCA1 expression did not increase cholesterol efflux as the lower levels of cholesterol in conditioned medium of Aβ-treated cells were found. Conclusion Our novel findings show that Aβ affects two key elements in the brain cholesterol homeostasis, HMGCR and ABCA1, which are crucial in cholesterol synthesis and efflux. Since 24s-OHC could suppress the Aβ effects on enhancement of HMGCR and ABCA1, therefore the cytochrome P450 46A1 (Cyp46A1), which is exclusively expressed in the central nervous system and responsible for producing of 24s-OHC, could consider as a therapeutic target in the cholesterol-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Nazeri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ghorban Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Rashidi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shirin Azizdoost
- Atherosclerosis Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Cheraghzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Alireza Kheirollah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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19
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Passero M, Zhai T, Huang Z. Investigation of Potential Drug Targets for Cholesterol Regulation to Treat Alzheimer's Disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6217. [PMID: 37444065 PMCID: PMC10341567 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and seven approved drugs, the complex interplay of genes, proteins, and pathways in Alzheimer's disease remains a challenge. This implies the intricacies of the mechanism for Alzheimer's disease, which involves the interaction of hundreds of genes, proteins, and pathways. While the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease are the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, excessive accumulation of cholesterol is reportedly correlated with Alzheimer's disease patients. In this work, protein-protein interaction analysis was conducted based upon the genes from a clinical database to identify the top protein targets with most data-indicated involvement in Alzheimer's disease, which include ABCA1, CYP46A1, BACE1, TREM2, GSK3B, and SREBP2. The reactions and pathways associated with these genes were thoroughly studied for their roles in regulating brain cholesterol biosynthesis, amyloid beta accumulation, and tau protein tangle formation. Existing clinical trials for each protein target were also investigated. The research indicated that the inhibition of SREBP2, BACE1, or GSK3B is beneficial to reduce cholesterol and amyloid beta accumulation, while the activation of ABCA1, CYP46A1, or TREM2 has similar effects. In this study, Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 2 (SREBP2) emerged as the primary protein target. SREBP2 serves a pivotal role in maintaining cholesterol balance, acting as a transcription factor that controls the expression of several enzymes pivotal for cholesterol biosynthesis. Novel studies suggest that SREBP2 performs a multifaceted role in Alzheimer's disease. The hyperactivity of SREBP2 may lead to heightened cholesterol biosynthesis, which suggested association with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Lowering SREBP2 levels in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model results in reduced production of amyloid-beta, a major contributor to Alzheimer's disease progression. Moreover, its thoroughly analyzed crystal structure allows for computer-aided screening of potential inhibitors; SREBP2 is thus selected as a prospective drug target. While more protein targets can be added onto the list in the future, this work provides an overview of key proteins involved in the regulation of brain cholesterol biosynthesis that may be further investigated for Alzheimer's disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zuyi Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
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20
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Mast N, El-Darzi N, Li Y, Pikuleva IA. Quantitative characterizations of the cholesterol-related pathways in the retina and brain of hamsters. J Lipid Res 2023:100401. [PMID: 37330011 PMCID: PMC10394389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina and brain are separated from the systemic circulation by the anatomical barriers, which are permeable (the outer blood-retinal barrier) and impermeable (the blood-brain and inner blood-retina barriers) to cholesterol. Herein we investigated whether the whole-body cholesterol maintenance affects cholesterol homeostasis in the retina and brain. We used hamsters, whose whole-body cholesterol handling is more similar to those in humans than in mice and conducted separate administrations of deuterated water and deuterated cholesterol. We assessed the quantitative significance of the retinal and brain pathways of cholesterol input and compared the results with those from our previous studies in mice. The utility of the measurements in the plasma of deuterated 24-hydroxycholesterol, the major cholesterol elimination product from the brain, was investigated as well. We established that despite a 7-fold higher serum LDL to HDL ratio and other cholesterol-related differences, in situ biosynthesis remained the major source of cholesterol for hamster retina, although its quantitative significance was reduced to 53% as compared to 72-78% in mouse retina. In the brain, the principal pathway of cholesterol input was also the same, in situ biosynthesis, accounting for 94% of the total brain cholesterol input (96% in mice); the interspecies differences pertained to the absolute rates of the total cholesterol input and turnover. We documented the correlations between deuterium enrichments of the brain 24-hydroxycholesterol, brain cholesterol, and plasma 24-hydroxycholesterol, which suggested that deuterium enrichment of plasma 24-hydroxycholesteol could be an in vivo marker of cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Nicole El-Darzi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA.
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21
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Castranio EL, Hasel P, Haure-Mirande JV, Ramirez Jimenez AV, Hamilton BW, Kim RD, Glabe CG, Wang M, Zhang B, Gandy S, Liddelow SA, Ehrlich ME. Microglial INPP5D limits plaque formation and glial reactivity in the PSAPP mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2239-2252. [PMID: 36448627 PMCID: PMC10481344 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D) gene encodes a dual-specificity phosphatase that can dephosphorylate both phospholipids and phosphoproteins. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in INPP5D impact risk for developing late onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). METHODS To assess the consequences of inducible Inpp5d knockdown in microglia of APPKM670/671NL /PSEN1Δexon9 (PSAPP) mice, we injected 3-month-old Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ and PSAPP/Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ mice with either tamoxifen (TAM) or corn oil (CO) to induce recombination. RESULTS At age 6 months, we found that the percent area of 6E10+ deposits and plaque-associated microglia in Inpp5d knockdown mice were increased compared to controls. Spatial transcriptomics identified a plaque-specific expression profile that was extensively altered by Inpp5d knockdown. DISCUSSION These results demonstrate that conditional Inpp5d downregulation in the PSAPP mouse increases plaque burden and recruitment of microglia to plaques. Spatial transcriptomics highlighted an extended gene expression signature associated with plaques and identified CST7 (cystatin F) as a novel marker of plaques. HIGHLIGHTS Inpp5d knockdown increases plaque burden and plaque-associated microglia number. Spatial transcriptomics identifies an expanded plaque-specific gene expression profile. Plaque-induced gene expression is altered by Inpp5d knockdown in microglia. Our plaque-associated gene signature overlaps with human Alzheimer's disease gene networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie L. Castranio
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Hasel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - B. Wade Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel D. Kim
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles G. Glabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry,
University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sam Gandy
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York,
USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York,
USA
| | - Shane A. Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of
Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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22
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Alavi MS, Karimi G, Ghanimi HA, Roohbakhsh A. The potential of CYP46A1 as a novel therapeutic target for neurological disorders: An updated review of mechanisms. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175726. [PMID: 37062503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a key component of the cell membrane that impacts the permeability, fluidity, and functions of membrane-bound proteins. It also participates in synaptogenesis, synaptic function, axonal growth, dendrite outgrowth, and microtubule stability. Cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism are in balance in the brain. Its metabolism in the brain is mediated mainly by CYP46A1 or cholesterol 24-hydroxylase. It is responsible for eliminating about 80% of the cholesterol excess from the human brain. CYP46A1 converts cholesterol to 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC) that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the liver for the final elimination process. Studies show that cholesterol and 24HC levels change during neurological diseases and conditions. So, it was hypothesized that inhibition or activation of CYP46A1 would be an effective therapeutic strategy. Accordingly, preclinical studies, using genetic and pharmacological interventions, assessed the role of CYP46A1 in main neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxias, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, its role in seizures and brain injury was evaluated. The recent development of soticlestat, as a selective and potent CYP46A1 inhibitor, with significant anti-seizure effects in preclinical and clinical studies, suggests the importance of this target for future drug developments. Previous studies have shown that both activation and inhibition of CYP46A1 are of therapeutic value. This article, using recent studies, highlights the role of CYP46A1 in various brain diseases and insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Karimi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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23
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Wheeler AM, Orsburn BC, Bumpus NN. Biotransformation of Efavirenz and Proteomic Analysis of Cytochrome P450s and UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in Mouse, Macaque, and Human Brain-Derived In Vitro Systems. Drug Metab Dispos 2023; 51:521-531. [PMID: 36623884 PMCID: PMC10043944 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.122.001195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral drugs such as efavirenz (EFV) are essential to combat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the brain, but little is known about how these drugs are metabolized locally. In this study, the cytochrome P450 (P450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)-dependent metabolism of EFV was probed in brain microsomes from mice, cynomolgus macaques, and humans as well as primary neural cells from C57BL/6N mice. Utilizing ultra high performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (uHPLC-HRMS), the formation of 8-hydroxyefavirenz (8-OHEFV) from EFV and the glucuronidation of P450-dependent metabolites 8-OHEFV and 8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz (8,14-diOHEFV) were observed in brain microsomes from all three species. The direct glucuronidation of EFV, however, was only detected in cynomolgus macaque brain microsomes. In primary neural cells treated with EFV, microglia were the only cell type to exhibit metabolism, forming 8-OHEFV only. In cells treated with the P450-dependent metabolites of EFV, glucuronidation was detected only in cortical neurons and astrocytes, revealing that certain aspects of EFV metabolism are cell type specific. Untargeted and targeted proteomics experiments were used to identify the P450s and UGTs present in brain microsomes. Eleven P450s and 11 UGTs were detected in human brain microsomes, whereas seven P450s and 14 UGTs were identified in mouse brain microsomes and 15 P450s and four UGTs, respectively, were observed in macaque brain microsomes. This was the first time many of these enzymes have been noted in brain microsomes at the protein level. This study indicates the potential for brain metabolism to contribute to pharmacological and toxicological outcomes of EFV in the brain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Metabolism in the brain is understudied, and the persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the brain warrants the evaluation of how antiretroviral drugs such as efavirenz are metabolized in the brain. Using brain microsomes, the metabolism of efavirenz by both cytochrome P450s (P450s) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) is established. Additionally, proteomics of brain microsomes characterizes P450s and UGTs in the brain, many of which have not yet been noted in the literature at the protein level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail M Wheeler
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Benjamin C Orsburn
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Namandjé N Bumpus
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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24
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Yin F. Lipid metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: clinical evidence, mechanistic link and therapeutic promise. FEBS J 2023; 290:1420-1453. [PMID: 34997690 PMCID: PMC9259766 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-associated neurodegenerative disorder with multifactorial etiology, intersecting genetic and environmental risk factors, and a lack of disease-modifying therapeutics. While the abnormal accumulation of lipids was described in the very first report of AD neuropathology, it was not until recent decades that lipid dyshomeostasis became a focus of AD research. Clinically, lipidomic and metabolomic studies have consistently shown alterations in the levels of various lipid classes emerging in early stages of AD brains. Mechanistically, decades of discovery research have revealed multifaceted interactions between lipid metabolism and key AD pathogenic mechanisms including amyloidogenesis, bioenergetic deficit, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and myelin degeneration. In the present review, converging evidence defining lipid dyshomeostasis in AD is summarized, followed by discussions on mechanisms by which lipid metabolism contributes to pathogenesis and modifies disease risk. Furthermore, lipid-targeting therapeutic strategies, and the modification of their efficacy by disease stage, ApoE status, and metabolic and vascular profiles, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yin
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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25
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Sahlgren Bendtsen KM, Hall VJ. The Breakthroughs and Caveats of Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Modeling Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030420. [PMID: 36766763 PMCID: PMC9913971 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD) using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a field now spanning 15 years. Developments in the field have shown a shift in using simple 2D cortical neuron models to more advanced tri-cultures and 3D cerebral organoids that recapitulate more features of the disease. This is largely due to development and optimization of new cell protocols. In this review, we highlight recent major breakthroughs in the AD field and the implications this has in modeling AD using iPSCs (AD-iPSCs). To date, AD-iPSCs have been largely used to recapitulate and study impaired amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and tau phosphorylation in both familial and sporadic AD. AD-iPSCs have also been studied for varying neuronal and glial dysfunctions. Moreover, they have been useful for discovering new molecular mechanisms, such as identifying proteins that bridge APP processing with tau phosphorylation and for identifying molecular pathways that bridge APP processing dysfunction with impaired cholesterol biosynthesis. Perhaps the greatest use of AD-iPSCs has been in discovering compounds via drug screening, that reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) in neurons, such as the anti-inflammatory compound, cromolyn, and antiparasitic drugs, avermectins. In addition, high content screening using AD-iPSCs has led to the identification of statins that can reduce levels of phosphorylated tau (p-Tau) in neurons. Some of these compounds have made it through to testing in human clinical trials. Improvements in omic technologies including single cell RNA sequencing and proteomics as well as advances in production of iPSC-cerebral organoids and tri-cultures is likely to result in the further discovery of new drugs and treatments for AD. Some caveats remain in the field, including, long experimental conditions to create mature neurons, high costs of media that limit research capabilities, and a lack of reproducibility using current iPSC-cerebral organoid protocols. Despite these current limitations, AD-iPSCs remain an excellent cellular model for studying AD mechanisms and for drug discovery.
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26
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Martins GL, Ferreira CN, Palotás A, Rocha NP, Reis HJ. Role of Oxysterols in the Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Potential Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:202-212. [PMID: 35339182 PMCID: PMC10190144 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220327215245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is a complex clinical condition with multifactorial origin posing a major burden to health care systems across the world. Even though the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease are still unclear, both central and peripheral inflammation has been implicated in the process. Piling evidence shows that the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is activated in AD. As dyslipidemia is a risk factor for dementia, and cholesterol can also activate the inflammasome, a possible link between lipid levels and the NLRP3 inflammasome has been proposed in Alzheimer's. It is also speculated that not only cholesterol but also its metabolites, the oxysterols, may be involved in AD pathology. In this context, mounting data suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activity can be modulated by different peripheral nuclear receptors, including liver-X receptors, which present oxysterols as endogenous ligands. In light of this, the current review explores whether the activation of NLRP3 by nuclear receptors, mediated by oxysterols, may also be involved in AD and could serve as a potential pharmacological avenue in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela L. Martins
- Laboratório Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB-UFMG, Belo Horizonte MG, 31270 - 901, Brazil
| | | | - András Palotás
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- Asklepios Med, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Natália P. Rocha
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Helton J. Reis
- Laboratório Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB-UFMG, Belo Horizonte MG, 31270 - 901, Brazil
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27
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Costa B, Vale N. Efavirenz: History, Development and Future. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010088. [PMID: 36671473 PMCID: PMC9855767 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Efavirenz (Sustiva®) is a first-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection or to prevent the spread of HIV. In 1998, the FDA authorized efavirenz for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Patients formerly required three 200 mg efavirenz capsules daily, which was rapidly updated to a 600 mg tablet that only required one tablet per day. However, when given 600 mg once daily, plasma efavirenz concentrations were linked not only to poor HIV suppression but also to toxicity. Clinical data suggested that the standard dose of efavirenz could be reduced without compromising its effectiveness, resulting in a reduction in side effects and making the drug more affordable. Therefore, ENCORE1 was performed to compare the efficiency and safeness of a reduced dose of efavirenz (400 mg) with the standard dose (600 mg) plus two NRTI in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected individuals. Nowadays, due to the emergence of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), some consider that it is time to stop using efavirenz as a first-line treatment on a global scale, in the parts of the world where that is possible. Efavirenz has been a primary first-line antiviral drug for more than 15 years. However, at this moment, the best use for efavirenz could be for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and repurposing in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220426537
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28
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Lerner AJ, Arnold SE, Maxfield E, Koenig A, Toth ME, Fortin B, Mast N, Trombetta BA, Denker J, Pieper AA, Tatsuoka C, Raghupathy S, Pikuleva IA. CYP46A1 activation by low-dose efavirenz enhances brain cholesterol metabolism in subjects with early Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:198. [PMID: 36581878 PMCID: PMC9797897 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01151-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efavirenz is an anti-HIV drug, and cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) is a CNS-specific enzyme that metabolizes cholesterol to 24-hydroxycholesterol (24HC). We have previously shown that allosteric CYP46A1 activation by low-dose efavirenz in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) enhanced both cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain and improved animal performance in memory tests. Here, we sought to determine whether CYP46A1 could be similarly activated by a low-dose efavirenz in human subjects. METHODS: This pilot study enrolled 5 subjects with early AD. Participants were randomized to placebo (n = 1) or two daily efavirenz doses (50 mg and 200 mg, n = 2 for each) for 20 weeks and evaluated for safety and CYP46A1 target engagement (plasma 24HC levels). A longitudinal mixed model was used to ascertain the statistical significance of target engagement. We also measured 24HC in CSF and conducted a unique stable isotope labeling kinetics (SILK) study with deuterated water to directly measure CYP46A1 activity changes in the brain. RESULTS In subjects receiving efavirenz, there was a statistically significant within-group increase (P ≤ 0.001) in the levels of plasma 24HC from baseline. The levels of 24HC in the CSF of subjects on the 200-mg dose of efavirenz were also increased. Target engagement was further supported by the labeling kinetics of 24HC by deuterated water in the SILK study. There were no serious adverse effects in any subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest efavirenz target engagement in human subjects with early AD. This supports the pursuit of a larger trial for further determination and confirmation of the efavirenz dose that exerts maximal enzyme activation, as well as evaluation of this drug's effects on AD biomarkers and clinical symptomatology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03706885.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Lerner
- Brain Health and Memory Center, Neurological Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44122, USA
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Steven E Arnold
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Erin Maxfield
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Aaron Koenig
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Maria E Toth
- Brain Health and Memory Center, Neurological Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44122, USA
| | - Brooke Fortin
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Bianca A Trombetta
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - John Denker
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Curtis Tatsuoka
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Sangeetha Raghupathy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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29
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Shang Y, Sun X, Chen X, Wang Q, Wang EJ, Miller E, Xu R, Pieper AA, Qi X. A CHCHD6-APP axis connects amyloid and mitochondrial pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:911-938. [PMID: 36104602 PMCID: PMC9547808 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic relationship between amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) processing and mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has long eluded the field. Here, we report that coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain containing 6 (CHCHD6), a core protein of the mammalian mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system, mechanistically connects these AD features through a circular feedback loop that lowers CHCHD6 and raises APP processing. In cellular and animal AD models and human AD brains, the APP intracellular domain fragment inhibits CHCHD6 transcription by binding its promoter. CHCHD6 and APP bind and stabilize one another. Reduced CHCHD6 enhances APP accumulation on mitochondria-associated ER membranes and accelerates APP processing, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cholesterol accumulation, promoting amyloid pathology. Compensation for CHCHD6 loss in an AD mouse model reduces AD-associated neuropathology and cognitive impairment. Thus, CHCHD6 connects APP processing and mitochondrial dysfunction in AD. This provides a potential new therapeutic target for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Shang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave, E516, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4970, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave, E516, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4970, USA
| | - Xiaoqin Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave, E516, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4970, USA
| | - Quanqiu Wang
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Evan J Wang
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Beachwood High School, Beachwood, OH, 44122, USA
| | - Emiko Miller
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, Case Western Reserve University, Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Rong Xu
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, Case Western Reserve University, Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Xin Qi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave, E516, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4970, USA.
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30
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Cholesterol and its reciprocal association with prion infection. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:235-246. [PMID: 35821439 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03669-y] [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: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are incurable, infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect both humans and animals. The pathogenesis of prion disease involves the misfolding of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, to a disease-causing conformation, PrPSc, in the brain. The exact mechanism of conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not clear; however, there are numerous studies supporting that this process of misfolding requires the association of PrPC with lipid raft domains of the plasma membrane. An increase in the cellular cholesterol content with prion infection has been observed in both in vivo and in vitro studies. As cholesterol is critical for the formation of lipid rafts, on the one hand, this increase may be related to, or aiding in, the process of prion conversion. On the other hand, increased cholesterol levels may affect neuronal viability. Here, we discuss current literature on the underlying mechanisms and potential consequences of elevated neuronal cholesterol in prion infection and advancements in prion disease therapeutics targeting brain cholesterol homeostasis.
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31
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Mast N, Li Y, Pikuleva IA. Increased Acetylcholine Levels and Other Brain Effects in 5XFAD Mice after Treatment with 8,14-Dihydroxy Metabolite of Efavirenz. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147669. [PMID: 35887013 PMCID: PMC9317559 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Efavirenz (EFV), an FDA-approved anti-HIV drug, has off-target binding to CYP46A1, the CNS enzyme which converts cholesterol to 24-hydroxycholesterol. At small doses, EFV allosterically activates CYP46A1 in mice and humans and mitigates some of the Alzheimer's disease manifestations in 5XFAD mice, an animal model. Notably, in vitro, all phase 1 EFV hydroxymetabolites activate CYP46A1 as well and bind either to the allosteric site for EFV, neurotransmitters or both. Herein, we treated 5XFAD mice with 8,14-dihydroxyEFV, the binder to the neurotransmitter allosteric site, which elicits the highest CYP46A1 activation in vitro. We found that treated animals of both sexes had activation of CYP46A1 and cholesterol turnover in the brain, decreased content of the amyloid beta 42 peptide, increased levels of acetyl-CoA and acetylcholine, and altered expression of the brain marker proteins. In addition, male mice had improved performance in the Barnes Maze test and increased expression of the acetylcholine-related genes. This work expands our knowledge of the beneficial CYP46A1 activation effects and demonstrates that 8,14-dihydroxyEFV crosses the blood-brain barrier and has therapeutic potential as a CYP46A1 activator.
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32
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Mast N, Fotinich A, Pikuleva IA. The Hydroxylation Position Rather than Chirality Determines How Efavirenz Metabolites Activate Cytochrome P450 46A1 In Vitro. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:923-930. [PMID: 35489779 PMCID: PMC11022896 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.122.000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
(S)-Efavirenz (EFV) is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor and an antiviral drug. In addition, (S)-EFV can interact off target with CYP46A1, the major cholesterol hydroxylating enzyme in the mammalian brain, and allosterically activate CYP46A1 at a small dose in mice and humans. Studies with purified CYP46A1 identified two allosteric sites on the enzyme surface, one for (S)-EFV and the second site for L-glutamate (Glu), a neurotransmitter that also activates CYP46A1 either alone or in the presence of (S)-EFV. Previously, we found that racemic (rac)-7-hydroxyefavirenz, (rac)-8-hydroxyefavirenz, (S)-8-hydroxyefavirenz, and (rac)-8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz, compounds with the hydroxylation positions corresponding to the metabolism of (S)-EFV in the liver, activated CYP46A1 in vitro. Yet, these compounds differed from (S)-EFV in how they allosterically interacted with CYP46A1. Herein, we further characterized (rac)-7-hydroxyefavirenz, (rac)-8-hydroxyefavirenz, (S)-8-hydroxyefavirenz, and (rac)-8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz, and, in addition, (R)-EFV, (S)-7-hydroxyefavirenz, (rac)-7,8-dihydroxyefavirenz, (S)-7,8-dihydroxyefavirenz, and (S)-8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz for activation and binding to CYP46A1 in vitro. We found that the spatial configuration of all tested compounds neither affected the CYP46A1 activation nor the sites of binding to CYP46A1. Yet, the hydroxylation position determined whether the hydroxylated metabolite interacted with the allosteric site for (S)-EFV [(R)-EFV, (rac)-7,8-dihydroxyefavirenz, and (S)-7,8-dihydroxyefavirenz], L-Glu [(rac)- and (S)-8,14-dihydroxyefavirenz], or both [(rac)-7-hydroxyefavirenz, (S)-7-hydroxyefavirenz, (rac)-8-hydroxyefavirenz, and (S)-8-hydroxyefavirenz]. This difference in binding to the allosteric sites determined, in turn, how CYP46A1 activity was changed in the coincubations with (S)-EFV and either its metabolite or L-Glu. The results suggest EFV metabolites that could be more potent for CYP46A1 activation in vivo than (S)-EFV. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study found that not only efavirenz but also all its hydroxylated metabolites allosterically activate CYP46A1 in vitro. The enzyme activation depended on the hydroxylation position but not the metabolite spatial configuration and involved either one or two allosteric sites-for efavirenz, L-glutamate, or both. The results suggest that the hydroxylated efavirenz metabolites may differ from efavirenz in how they interact with the CYP46A1 allosteric and active sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Anna Fotinich
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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El-Darzi N, Mast N, Buchner DA, Saadane A, Dailey B, Trichonas G, Pikuleva IA. Low-Dose Anti-HIV Drug Efavirenz Mitigates Retinal Vascular Lesions in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:902254. [PMID: 35721135 PMCID: PMC9198296 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.902254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A small dose of the anti-HIV drug efavirenz (EFV) was previously discovered to activate CYP46A1, a cholesterol-eliminating enzyme in the brain, and mitigate some of the manifestation of Alzheimer's disease in 5XFAD mice. Herein, we investigated the retina of these animals, which were found to have genetically determined retinal vascular lesions associated with deposits within the retinal pigment epithelium and subretinal space. We established that EFV treatment activated CYP46A1 in the retina, enhanced retinal cholesterol turnover, and diminished the lesion frequency >5-fold. In addition, the treatment mitigated fluorescein leakage from the aberrant blood vessels, deposit size, activation of retinal macrophages/microglia, and focal accumulations of amyloid β plaques, unesterified cholesterol, and Oil Red O-positive lipids. Studies of retinal transcriptomics and proteomics identified biological processes enriched with differentially expressed genes and proteins. We discuss the mechanisms of the beneficial EFV effects on the retinal phenotype of 5XFAD mice. As EFV is an FDA-approved drug, and we already tested the safety of small-dose EFV in patients with Alzheimer's disease, our data support further clinical investigation of this drug in subjects with retinal vascular lesions or neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole El-Darzi
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Natalia Mast
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - David A. Buchner
- Departments of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Aicha Saadane
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Brian Dailey
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Georgios Trichonas
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Irina A. Pikuleva
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Cleveland, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Irina A. Pikuleva,
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Shi N, Zheng Q, Zhang H. Molecular Basis of the Recognition of Cholesterol by Cytochrome P450 46A1 along the Major Access Tunnel. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1526-1533. [PMID: 35438962 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CYP46A1 is an important potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the most common neurodegenerative disease among older individuals. However, the binding mechanism between CYP46A1 and substrate cholesterol (CH) has not been clarified and will not be conducive to the research of relevant drug molecules. In this study, we integrated molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and adaptive steered MD simulations to explore the recognition and binding mechanism of CYP46A1 with CH. Two key factors affecting the interaction between CH and CYP46A1 are determined: one is a hydrophobic cavity formed by seven hydrophobic residues (F80, Y109, L112, I222, W368, F371, and T475), which provides nonpolar interactions to stabilize CH, and the other is a hydrogen bond formed by H81 and CH, which ensures the binding direction of CH. In addition, the tunnel analysis results show that tunnel 2a is identified as the primary pathway of CH. The entry of CH induces tunnel 2e to close and tunnel w to open. Our results may provide effective clues for the design of drugs based on the substrate for AD and improve our understanding of the structure-function of CYP46A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Shi
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
| | - Qingchuan Zheng
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
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Advancements in the development of multi-target directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 61:116742. [PMID: 35398739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial irreversible neurological disorder which results in cognitive impairment, loss of cholinergic neurons in synapses of the basal forebrain and neuronal death. Exact pathology of the disease is not yet known however, many hypotheses have been proposed for its treatment. The available treatments including monotherapies and combination therapies are not able to combat the disease effectively because of its complex pathological mechanism. A multipotent drug for AD has the potential to bind or inhibit multiple targets responsible for the progression of the disease like aggregated Aβ, hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, cholinergic and adrenergic receptors, MAO enzymes, overactivated N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor etc. The traditional approach of one disease-one target-one drug has been rationalized to one drug-multi targets for the chronic diseases like AD and cancer. Thus, over the last decade research focus has been shifted towards the development of multi target directed ligands (MTDLs) which can simultaneously inhibit multiple targets and stop or slow the progression of the disease. The MTDLs can be more effective against AD and eliminate any possibility of drug-drug interactions. Many important active pharmacophore units have been fused, merged or incorporated into different scaffolds to synthesize new potent drugs. In the current article, we have described various hypothesis for AD and effectiveness of the MTDLs treatment strategy is discussed in detail. Different chemical scaffolds and their synthetic strategies have been described and important functionalities are identified in the chemical scaffold that have the potential to bind to the multiple targets. The important leads identified in this study with MTDL characteristics have the potential to be developed as drug candidates for the effective treatment of AD.
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Kacher R, Mounier C, Caboche J, Betuing S. Altered Cholesterol Homeostasis in Huntington’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:797220. [PMID: 35517051 PMCID: PMC9063567 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.797220] [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: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG repeat in the first exon of Huntingtin’s gene. The associated neurodegeneration mainly affects the striatum and the cortex at early stages and progressively spreads to other brain structures. Targeting HD at its earlier stages is under intense investigation. Numerous drugs were tested, with a rate of success of only 3.5% approved molecules used as symptomatic treatment. The restoration of cholesterol metabolism, which is central to the brain homeostasis and strongly altered in HD, could be an interesting disease-modifying strategy. Cholesterol is an essential membrane component in the central nervous system (CNS); alterations of its homeostasis have deleterious consequences on neuronal functions. The levels of several sterols, upstream of cholesterol, are markedly decreased within the striatum of HD mouse model. Transcription of cholesterol biosynthetic genes is reduced in HD cell and mouse models as well as post-mortem striatal and cortical tissues from HD patients. Since the dynamic of brain cholesterol metabolism is complex, it is essential to establish the best method to target it in HD. Cholesterol, which does not cross the blood-brain-barrier, is locally synthesized and renewed within the brain. All cell types in the CNS synthesize cholesterol during development but as they progress through adulthood, neurons down-regulate their cholesterol synthesis and turn to astrocytes for their full supply. Cellular levels of cholesterol reflect the dynamic balance between synthesis, uptake and export, all integrated into the context of the cross talk between neurons and glial cells. In this review, we describe the latest advances regarding the role of cholesterol deregulation in neuronal functions and how this could be a determinant factor in neuronal degeneration and HD progression. The pathways and major mechanisms by which cholesterol and sterols are regulated in the CNS will be described. From this overview, we discuss the main clinical strategies for manipulating cholesterol metabolism in the CNS, and how to reinstate a proper balance in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia Kacher
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute (ICM), AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1216, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Coline Mounier
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Jocelyne Caboche
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Betuing
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Sandrine Betuing,
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Characterization of Altered Molecular Pathways in the Entorhinal Cortex of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and In Silico Prediction of Potential Repurposable Drugs. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040703. [PMID: 35456509 PMCID: PMC9028005 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040703] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions. Accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are a typical feature of AD neuropathological changes. The entorhinal cortex (EC) is the first brain area associated with pathologic changes in AD, even preceding atrophy of the hippocampus. In the current study, we have performed a meta-analysis of publicly available expression data sets of the entorhinal cortex (EC) in order to identify potential pathways underlying AD pathology. The meta-analysis identified 1915 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the EC from normal and AD patients. Among the downregulated DEGs, we found a significant enrichment of biological processes pertaining to the “neuronal system” (R-HSA-112316) and the “synaptic signaling” (GO:0099536), while the “regulation of protein catabolic process” (GO:00042176) and “transport of small molecules” (R-HSA-382551) resulted in enrichment among both the upregulated and downregulated DEGs. Finally, by means of an in silico pharmacology approach, we have prioritized drugs and molecules potentially able to revert the transcriptional changes associated with AD pathology. The drugs with a mostly anti-correlated signature were: efavirenz, an anti-retroviral drug; tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor; and sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor. Among the predicted drugs, those potentially able to cross the blood-brain barrier have also been identified. Overall, our study found a disease-specific set of dysfunctional biological pathways characterizing the EC in AD patients and identified a set of drugs that could in the future be exploited as potential therapeutic strategies. The approach used in the current study has some limitations, as it does not account for possible post-transcriptional events regulating the cellular phenotype, and also, much clinical information about the samples included in the meta-analysis was not available. However, despite these limitations, our study sets the basis for future investigations on the pathogenetic processes occurring in AD and proposes the repurposing of currently used drugs for the treatment of AD patients.
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Wu M, Zhai Y, Liang X, Chen W, Lin R, Ma L, Huang Y, Zhao D, Liang Y, Zhao W, Fang J, Fang S, Chen Y, Wang Q, Li W. Connecting the Dots Between Hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Potential Mechanism Based on 27-Hydroxycholesterol. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:842814. [PMID: 35464321 PMCID: PMC9021879 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.842814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a complex and multifactorial disease involving genetic and environmental factors, with hypercholesterolemia considered as one of the risk factors. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between AD and serum cholesterol levels, and experimental studies also provide evidence that elevated cholesterol levels accelerate AD pathology. However, the underlying mechanism of hypercholesterolemia accelerating AD pathogenesis is not clear. Here, we review the metabolism of cholesterol in the brain and focus on the role of oxysterols, aiming to reveal the link between hypercholesterolemia and AD. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the major peripheral oxysterol that flows into the brain, and it affects β-amyloid (Aβ) production and elimination as well as influencing other pathogenic mechanisms of AD. Although the potential link between hypercholesterolemia and AD is well established, cholesterol-lowering drugs show mixed results in improving cognitive function. Nevertheless, drugs that target cholesterol exocytosis and conversion show benefits in improving AD pathology. Herbs and natural compounds with cholesterol-lowering properties also have a potential role in ameliorating cognition. Collectively, hypercholesterolemia is a causative risk factor for AD, and 27-OHC is likely a potential mechanism for hypercholesterolemia to promote AD pathology. Drugs that regulate cholesterol metabolism are probably beneficial for AD, but more research is needed to unravel the mechanisms involved in 27-OHC, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingan Wu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Zhai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Liang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichun Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiyi Lin
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linlin Ma
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansong Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhuan Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunbo Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Wang,
| | - Weirong Li
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Weirong Li,
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Kajita Y, Ikeda S, Yoshikawa M, Fukuda H, Watanabe E, Yano J, Lane W, Miyamoto M, Ishii T, Nishi T, Koike T. Discovery of Novel 3-Piperidinyl Pyridine Derivatives as Highly Potent and Selective Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase (CH24H) Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3343-3358. [PMID: 35166541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H or CYP46A1) is a brain-specific cytochrome P450 enzyme that metabolizes cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC) for regulating brain cholesterol homeostasis. For the development of a novel and potent CH24H inhibitor, we designed and synthesized 3,4-disubstituted pyridine derivatives using a structure-based drug design approach starting from compounds 1 (soticlestat) and 2 (thioperamide). Optimization of this series by focusing on ligand-lipophilicity efficiency value resulted in the discovery of 4-(4-methyl-1-pyrazolyl)pyridine derivative 17 (IC50 = 8.5 nM) as a potent and highly selective CH24H inhibitor. The X-ray crystal structure of CH24H in complex with compound 17 revealed a unique binding mode. Both blood-brain barrier penetration and reduction of 24HC levels (26% reduction) in the mouse brain were confirmed by oral administration of 17 at 30 mg/kg, indicating that 17 is a promising tool for the novel and selective inhibition of CH24H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Kajita
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Shuhei Ikeda
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masato Yoshikawa
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fukuda
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Etsurou Watanabe
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Jason Yano
- Takeda California Inc., 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Weston Lane
- Takeda California Inc., 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maki Miyamoto
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Ishii
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Koike
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, 26-1, Muraokahigashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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40
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Pikuleva IA. Targeting cytochrome P450 46A1 and brain cholesterol 24-hydroxylation to treat neurodegenerative diseases. EXPLORATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE THERAPY 2021; 1:159-172. [PMID: 35156102 DOI: 10.37349/ent.2021.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The brain cholesterol content is determined by the balance between the pathways of in situ biosynthesis and cholesterol elimination via 24-hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP46A1 (cytochrome P450 46A1). Both pathways are tightly coupled and determine the rate of brain cholesterol turnover. Evidence is accumulating that modulation of CYP46A1 activity by gene therapy or pharmacologic means could be beneficial in case neurodegenerative and other brain diseases and affect brain processes other than cholesterol biosynthesis and elimination. This minireview summarizes these other processes, most common of which include abnormal protein accumulation, memory and cognition, motor behavior, gene transcription, protein phosphorylation as well as autophagy and lysosomal processing. The unifying mechanisms, by which these processes could be affected by CYP46A targeting are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Liu W, Zhou C, Wang Y, Yu H, Zhang X, Wang T, Wang L, Hao L, Qin Z, Xiao R. Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Disrupted Cholesterol Homeostasis in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Nutr 2021; 151:3865-3873. [PMID: 34510220 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that dietary and serum concentrations of vitamin D and cholesterol are correlated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about whether 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], lipids, and oxysterols are related to cognitive function. OBJECTIVE This study sought to explore the relations between 25(OH)D, lipids, oxysterols, and cognitive function. METHODS In this study, about 209 MCI patients and 209 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited from the Shanxi province of China (49.5% male; median [IQR] age: 63 [59-66] y). Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, lipids, and oxysterols were measured using ultra-performance LC-MS. Cognitive performance was determined via comprehensive mental, verbal, and auditory cognitive tests. Dietary information was collected using a semiquantitative FFQ and 3 consecutive days of 24-h dietary recalls. Logistic regression analyses, Spearman's correlation, and partial correlation analyses were used to explore correlation between the variables. RESULTS Participants with vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D <20.0 ng/mL] were 3 times more likely to develop MCI compared to those with adequate vitamin D (≥30 ng/mL) concentrations. The AUC of 25(OH)D was 0.72 and the cut-off was 16.5 ng/mL (sensitivity: 50.3%, specificity: 84.4%). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were negatively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) (r = -0.19, P = 0.02), LDL-cholesterol (r = -0.17, P = 0.04), and 24S,25-epoxycholesterol (24S,25-epoxy-CHO) (r = -0.21, P = 0.01). Conversely, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (r = 0.185, P < 0.001) and symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) (r = 0.11, P = 0.03) scores were positively correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. CONCLUSION The study identified significant differences in serum 25(OH)D concentrations between MCI patients and cognitive healthy controls, and there was a correlation between serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, lipids, and oxysterols and cognitive impairment among people. This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry as ChiCTR1900025452.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Yushan Wang
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Huiyan Yu
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaona Zhang
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Lijing Wang
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Hao
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
| | | | - Rong Xiao
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China Capital Medical University, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China
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Putkaradze N, Hartz P, Hutter MC, Zapp J, Thevis M, Bernhardt R. Metabolism of oral turinabol by the human brain cholesterol 24-hydroxylase CYP46A1. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 212:105927. [PMID: 34089835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105927] [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: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The human microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP46A1 plays a crucial role in cholesterol elimination from the brain. It performs a 24-hydroxylation of cholesterol and is of outstanding significance for memory and cognition. This study demonstrates the catalytic activity of human CYP46A1 towards an anabolic androgenic steroid, oral turinabol (dehydrochloromethyltestosterone, 4-chloro-17β-dihydroxy,17α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one), which is a doping substance. CYP46A1 is the first human microsomal steroid-converting P450 showing activity towards this xenobiotic compound. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of oral turinabol on the cholesterol conversion has been investigated in vitro demonstrating competition of the two substrates on the active site of CYP46A1 which might be of importance for potential pathogenic effects of oral turinabol. The conversion of oral turinabol was found to be selective resulting in the formation of only one product, as shown by HPLC analysis. To produce sufficient amounts of this product for NMR analysis, a system expressing human full-length CYP46A1 and CPR on a bicistronic vector was successfully developed realizing the selective cholesterol 24-hydroxylation in E. coli in mg amounts. Using this novel whole-cell system, the conversion of oral turinabol was performed and the product of this conversion by CYP46A1 was isolated and identified as 16β-hydroxy oral turinabol by NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Putkaradze
- Institute of Biochemistry, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Philip Hartz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Michael C Hutter
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Josef Zapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, D-50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rita Bernhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany.
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Koike T, Yoshikawa M, Ando HK, Farnaby W, Nishi T, Watanabe E, Yano J, Miyamoto M, Kondo S, Ishii T, Kuroita T. Discovery of Soticlestat, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor for Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase (CH24H). J Med Chem 2021; 64:12228-12244. [PMID: 34387987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H, CYP46A1), a brain-specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) family enzyme, plays a role in the homeostasis of brain cholesterol by converting cholesterol to 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC). Despite a wide range of potential of CH24H as a drug target, no potent and selective inhibitors have been identified. Here, we report on the structure-based drug design (SBDD) of novel 4-arylpyridine derivatives based on the X-ray co-crystal structure of hit derivative 1b. Optimization of 4-arylpyridine derivatives led us to identify 3v ((4-benzyl-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)(2,4'-bipyridin-3-yl)methanone, IC50 = 7.4 nM) as a highly potent, selective, and brain-penetrant CH24H inhibitor. Following oral administration to mice, 3v resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of 24HC levels in the brain (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg). Compound 3v (soticlestat, also known as TAK-935) is currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as a novel drug class for epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Koike
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masato Yoshikawa
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Haruhi Kamisaki Ando
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - William Farnaby
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Etsurou Watanabe
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Jason Yano
- Takeda California Inc., 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maki Miyamoto
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kondo
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Ishii
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Takanobu Kuroita
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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44
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Pikuleva IA, Cartier N. Cholesterol Hydroxylating Cytochrome P450 46A1: From Mechanisms of Action to Clinical Applications. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:696778. [PMID: 34305573 PMCID: PMC8297829 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.696778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol, an essential component of the brain, and its local metabolism are involved in many neurodegenerative diseases. The blood-brain barrier is impermeable to cholesterol; hence, cholesterol homeostasis in the central nervous system represents a balance between in situ biosynthesis and elimination. Cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1), a central nervous system-specific enzyme, converts cholesterol to 24-hydroxycholesterol, which can freely cross the blood-brain barrier and be degraded in the liver. By the dual action of initiating cholesterol efflux and activating the cholesterol synthesis pathway, CYP46A1 is the key enzyme that ensures brain cholesterol turnover. In humans and mouse models, CYP46A1 activity is altered in Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases, spinocerebellar ataxias, glioblastoma, and autism spectrum disorders. In mouse models, modulations of CYP46A1 activity mitigate the manifestations of Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Nieman-Pick type C, and Machao-Joseph (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3) diseases as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, glioblastoma, and prion infection. Animal studies revealed that the CYP46A1 activity effects are not limited to cholesterol maintenance but also involve critical cellular pathways, like gene transcription, endocytosis, misfolded protein clearance, vesicular transport, and synaptic transmission. How CYP46A1 can exert central control of such essential brain functions is a pressing question under investigation. The potential therapeutic role of CYP46A1, demonstrated in numerous models of brain disorders, is currently being evaluated in early clinical trials. This review summarizes the past 70 years of research that has led to the identification of CYP46A1 and brain cholesterol homeostasis as powerful therapeutic targets for severe pathologies of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Nathalie Cartier
- NeuroGenCell, Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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Mast N, Petrov AM, Prendergast E, Bederman I, Pikuleva IA. Brain Acetyl-CoA Production and Phosphorylation of Cytoskeletal Proteins Are Targets of CYP46A1 Activity Modulation and Altered Sterol Flux. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:2040-2060. [PMID: 34235635 PMCID: PMC8609074 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol and 24-hydroxycholesterol are the most abundant brain sterols and represent the substrate and product, respectively, of cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1), a CNS-specific enzyme. CYP46A1 controls cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain, the two processes that determine the rate of brain sterol flux through the plasma membranes and thereby the properties of these membranes. Brain sterol flux is decreased in Cyp46a1-/- mice compared to wild-type mice and increased in 5XFAD mice (a model of Alzheimer's disease) when they are treated with a small dose of efavirenz, a CYP46A1 activator. Herein, we first assessed the brain proteome (synaptosomal fractions) and phospho-proteome (synaptosomal fractions and brain homogenates) of efavirenz-treated and control 5XFAD mice. Then, based on the pattern of protein abundance change, we conducted acetyl-CoA measurements (brain homogenates and mitochondria) and metabolic profiling (brain homogenates). The phospho-proteomics datasets were used for comparative analyses with the datasets obtained by us previously on mice with the same changes (efavirenz-treated and control 5XFAD mice from a different treatment paradigm) or with changes in the opposite direction (Cyp46a1-/- vs wild-type mice) in brain sterol flux. We found that CYP46A1 activity or the rate of brain sterol flux affects acetyl-CoA-related metabolic pathways as well as phosphorylation of cytoskeletal and other proteins. Knowledge of the key roles of acetyl-CoA and cytoskeletal phosphorylation in cell biology expands our understanding of the significance of CYP46A1-mediated cholesterol 24-hydroxylation in the brain and provides an additional explanation for why CYP46A1 activity modulations are beneficial in mouse models of different brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Alexey M Petrov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center, Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, Box 30, 420111, Kazan, Russia
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kazan State Medial University, 49 Butlerova Street, 420012, Kazan, Russia
| | - Erin Prendergast
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ilya Bederman
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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46
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Feringa FM, van der Kant R. Cholesterol and Alzheimer's Disease; From Risk Genes to Pathological Effects. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:690372. [PMID: 34248607 PMCID: PMC8264368 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.690372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
While the central nervous system compromises 2% of our body weight, it harbors up to 25% of the body's cholesterol. Cholesterol levels in the brain are tightly regulated for physiological brain function, but mounting evidence indicates that excessive cholesterol accumulates in Alzheimer's disease (AD), where it may drive AD-associated pathological changes. This seems especially relevant for late-onset AD, as several of the major genetic risk factors are functionally associated with cholesterol metabolism. In this review we discuss the different systems that maintain brain cholesterol metabolism in the healthy brain, and how dysregulation of these processes can lead, or contribute to, Alzheimer's disease. We will also discuss how AD-risk genes might impact cholesterol metabolism and downstream AD pathology. Finally, we will address the major outstanding questions in the field and how recent technical advances in CRISPR/Cas9-gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-technology can aid to study these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke M. Feringa
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rik van der Kant
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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47
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Nowak D, Słupski W, Rutkowska M. New therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2021. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.9532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) described as a chronic and irreversible neurodegenerative disease
remains the most common cause of dementia. Due to the aging of the population, the incurability
of AD has become a growing problem of medicine in the 21stcentury. Current treatment
is only symptomatic, providing minimal, temporary improvement in the patient’s
cognitive function. This paper presents the latest trends in the search for effective pharmacotherapy
capable of preventing or inhibiting AD progression. Since the exact pathogenesis
of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, the main therapeutic strategies are based only on the
following hypotheses: amyloid cascade, tau protein, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and
those associated with dysfunction of the cholinergic system as well as glutamatergic. Most
of the compounds currently tested in clinical trials are targeted at pathological amyloid β
(A β), which is considered the cause of neurodegeneration, according to the most widely described
cascade theory. Most of the compounds currently tested in clinical trials are targeted
at pathological amyloid β (Aβ), which is the main cause of neurodegeneration according to
the widely described theory of the amyloid cascade. Attempts to fight the toxic Aβ are based
on the following: immunotherapy (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies), compounds that inhibit
its formation: γ-secretase inhibitors/modulators and β-secretase. Immunotherapy can
also be us,ed to increase the clearance of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, the occurrence
of which is another feature of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to immunotherapy, anti-inflammatory,
metabolic and neuroprotective compounds have been the subject of a number of studies. A range of symptomatic compounds that improve cognitive functions by compensating
cholinergic, noradrenergic and glutamatergic signaling deficits have also been investigated
in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Nowak
- Katedra i Zakład Farmakologii, Wydział Lekarski, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu
| | - Wojciech Słupski
- Katedra i Zakład Farmakologii, Wydział Lekarski, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu
| | - Maria Rutkowska
- Katedra i Zakład Farmakologii, Wydział Lekarski, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu
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48
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Zhuang Z, Yao M, Wong JYY, Liu Z, Huang T. Shared genetic etiology and causality between body fat percentage and cardiovascular diseases: a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis. BMC Med 2021; 19:100. [PMID: 33910581 PMCID: PMC8082910 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-01972-z] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidences have suggested that high body fat percentage (BF%) often occurs in parallel with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), implying a common etiology between them. However, the shared genetic etiology underlying BF% and CVDs remains unclear. METHODS Using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, we investigated shared genetics between BF% (N = 100,716) and 10 CVD-related traits (n = 6968-977,323) with linkage disequilibrium score regression, multi-trait analysis of GWAS, and transcriptome-wide association analysis, and evaluated causal associations using Mendelian randomization. RESULTS We found strong positive genetic correlations between BF% and heart failure (HF) (Rg = 0.47, P = 1.27 × 10- 22) and coronary artery disease (CAD) (Rg = 0.22, P = 3.26 × 10- 07). We identified 5 loci and 32 gene-tissue pairs shared between BF% and HF, as well as 16 loci and 28 gene-tissue pairs shared between BF% and CAD. The loci were enriched in blood vessels and brain tissues, while the gene-tissue pairs were enriched in the nervous, cardiovascular, and exo-/endocrine system. In addition, we observed that BF% was causally related with a higher risk of HF (odds ratio 1.63 per 1-SD increase in BF%, P = 4.16 × 10-04) using a MR approach. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that BF% and CVDs have shared genetic etiology and targeted reduction of BF% may improve cardiovascular outcomes. This work advances our understanding of the genetic basis underlying co-morbid obesity and CVDs and opens up a new way for early prevention of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhuang Zhuang
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, China. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Minhao Yao
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jason Y Y Wong
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, China. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center for Intelligent Public Health, Academy for Artificial Intelligence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.
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49
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Lütjohann D, Stellaard F, Bölükbasi B, Kerksiek A, Parhofer KG, Laufs U. Anti-PCSK 9 antibodies increase the ratios of the brain-specific oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol and to 27-hydroxycholesterol in the serum. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 87:4252-4261. [PMID: 33792095 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14841] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The serum ratios of the brain-specific oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC) to cholesterol and to 27-OHC reflect brain cholesterol turnover. We studied the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9ab) that enhance low-density lipoprotein receptor activity on serum cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations. METHODS Twenty-eight hypercholesterolaemic patients (15 males and 13 females) responding insufficiently to maximally tolerated statin and/or ezetimibe therapy were additionally subcutanously treated biweekly with either the PCSK9ab alirocumab (150 mg, n = 13) or evolocumab (140 mg, n = 15). Fasting serum cholesterol was measured by gas chromatography and the oxysterols 24S-OHC and 27-OHC using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry before, after 1-month (n = 28) and after 3-month (n = 13) treatment. RESULTS As expected, PCSK9ab treatment lowered serum cholesterol and oxysterol levels after 1 month. The serum ratio of 24S-OHC to cholesterol increased after 1 month by 17 ± 28% (mean ± standard deviation; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.8 to 28%; P < .01) and 24S-OHC to 27-OHC by 15 ± 39% (95% CI: 0.2 to 30%; P < .01). Within 3 months, 24S-OHC to cholesterol increased by 2.8 μg g-1 mo-1 (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.6; P < .01) and 24S-OHC to 27-OHC by 0.019 mo-1 (95% CI: 0.007 to 0.032; P < .01). CONCLUSION The serum ratios of 24S-OHC to cholesterol and to 27-OHC increased after treatment with PCSK9ab. We hypothesize that this is caused by a reduced entrance of 27-OHC into the brain, increased synthesis of brain cholesterol, increased production of 24S-OHC and its secretion across the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Lütjohann
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frans Stellaard
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bediha Bölükbasi
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anja Kerksiek
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Klaus G Parhofer
- Medizinische Klinik IV-Campus Großhadern, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany.,Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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50
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Zhang X, Alhasani RH, Zhou X, Reilly J, Zeng Z, Strang N, Shu X. Oxysterols and retinal degeneration. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3205-3219. [PMID: 33501641 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration, characterised by the progressive death of retinal neurons, is the most common cause of visual impairment. Oxysterols are the cholesterol derivatives produced via enzymatic and/or free radical oxidation that regulate cholesterol homeostasis in the retina. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested a connection between oxysterols and retinal degeneration. Here, we summarise early and recent work related to retina oxysterol-producing enzymes and the distribution of oxysterols in the retina. We examine the impact of loss of oxysterol-producing enzymes on retinal pathology and explore the molecular mechanisms associated with the toxic or protective roles of individual oxysterols in different types of retinal degeneration. We conclude that increased efforts to better understand the oxysterol-associated pathophysiology will help in the development of effective retinal degeneration therapies. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Reem Hasaballah Alhasani
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xinzhi Zhou
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - James Reilly
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Zhihong Zeng
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Niall Strang
- Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
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