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Borroto-Escuela D, Serrano-Castro P, Sánchez-Pérez JA, Barbancho-Fernández MA, Fuxe K, Narváez M. Enhanced neuronal survival and BDNF elevation via long-term co-activation of galanin 2 (GALR2) and neuropeptide Y1 receptors (NPY1R): potential therapeutic targets for major depressive disorder. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:295-308. [PMID: 38622072 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2342517] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies due to the limited efficacy and adverse effects of current treatments. We explored how galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) and Neuropeptide Y1 Receptor (NPYY1R) agonists, working together, can boost brain cell growth and increase antidepressant-like effects in rats. This suggests new ways to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a controlled laboratory setting, adult naive Sprague-Dawley rats were administered directly into the brain's ventricles, a method known as intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration, with GALR2 agonist (M1145), NPYY1R agonist, both, or in combination with a GALR2 antagonist (M871). Main outcome measures included long-term neuronal survival, differentiation, and behavioral. RESULTS Co-administration of M1145 and NPYY1R agonist significantly enhanced neuronal survival and maturation in the ventral dentate gyrus, with a notable increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression. This neurogenic effect was associated with an antidepressant-like effect, an outcome partially reversed by M871. CONCLUSIONS GALR2 and NPYY1R agonists jointly promote hippocampal neurogenesis and exert antidepressant-like effects in rats without adverse outcomes, highlighting their therapeutic potential for MDD. The study's reliance on an animal model and intracerebroventricular delivery warrants further clinical exploration to confirm these promising results.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy
- Depressive Disorder, Major/physiopathology
- Receptor, Galanin, Type 2/metabolism
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism
- Male
- Receptors, Neuropeptide Y/metabolism
- Receptors, Neuropeptide Y/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neurons/drug effects
- Neurons/metabolism
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology
- Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage
- Disease Models, Animal
- Peptides
- Receptors, Neuropeptide
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Edificio Lopez-Peñalver, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Pedro Serrano-Castro
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, NeuronLab, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Unit of Neurology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Vithas Málaga, Vithas Málaga, Grupo Hospitalario Vithas, Málaga, Spain
| | - Jose Andrés Sánchez-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, NeuronLab, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Unit of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Manuel Narváez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, NeuronLab, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Unit of Neurology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Vithas Málaga, Vithas Málaga, Grupo Hospitalario Vithas, Málaga, Spain
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Namsolleck P, Kofler B, Moll GN. Galanin 2 Receptor: A Novel Target for a Subset of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10193. [PMID: 37373336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210193] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Galanin is a 30 amino acid peptide that stimulates three subtype receptors (GAL1-3R). M89b is a lanthionine-stabilized, C-terminally truncated galanin analog that specifically stimulates GAL2R. We investigated the potential of M89b as a therapeutic for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and assessed its safety. The anti-tumor activity of subcutaneously injected M89b on the growth of patient-derived xenografts of PDAC (PDAC-PDX) in mice was investigated. In addition, the safety of M89b was assessed in vitro using a multi-target panel to measure the off-target binding and modulation of enzyme activities. In a PDAC-PDX with a high GAL2R expression, M89b completely inhibited the growth of the tumor (p < 0.001), while in two PDAC-PDXs with low GAL2R expression, low or negligeable inhibition of tumor growth was measured, and in the PDX without GAL2R expression no influence on the tumor growth was observed. The M89b treatment of the GAL2R high-PDAC-PDX-bearing mice led to a reduction in the expression of RacGap1 (p < 0.05), PCNA (p < 0.01), and MMP13 (p < 0.05). In vitro studies involving a multi-target panel of pharmacologically relevant targets revealedexcellent safety of M89b. Our data indicated that GAL2R is a safe and valuable target for treating PDACs with high GAL2R expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Namsolleck
- Lanthio Pharma, 9727 DL Groningen, The Netherlands
- PCDA Pharma Consulting & Data Analytics, 9791 CH Ten Boer, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Kofler
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Muellner Hauptstr. 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gert N Moll
- Lanthio Pharma, 9727 DL Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Linnaeusborg, Nijenborg 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Neuroanatomical characterization of the G protein-coupled receptor activity evoked by galanin-related ligands. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 128:102226. [PMID: 36566994 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102226] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Galanin neuropeptide is distributed throughout the mammalian nervous system modulating a plethora of diverse physiological functions, including nociception, cognition and neuroendocrine regulation. The regulation of the galaninergic system is an interesting approach for the treatment of different diseases associated to those systems. Nevertheless, the pharmacological selectivity and activities of some galanin receptor (GalR) ligands are still in discussion and seem to depend on the dose, the receptor subtype and the second messengers to which they are coupled at different brain areas. The activity of different GalR ligands on Gi/o proteins, was evaluated by the guanosine 5'-(γ-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPγS) autoradiography in vitro assay applied to rat brain tissue slices in the presence of galanin, M15, M35, M40, gal(2-11) or galnon. The enhancement of the [35S]GTPγS binding induced by the chimerical peptides M15, M35 and M40 was similar to that produced by Gal in those brain areas showing the highest stimulations, such as dorsal part of the olfactory nucleus and ventral subiculum. In contrast to these peptides, using gal(2-11) no effect was measured on Gi/o protein coupling in areas of the rat brain with high GalR1 density such as posterior hypothalamic nucleus and amygdala, indicating low selectivity for GalR1 receptors. The effects evoked by the non-peptide ligand, galnon, were different from those induced by galanin, behaving as agonist or antagonist depending on the brain area, but the stimulations were always blocked by M35. Thus, the activity of most used GalR ligands on Gi/o protein mediated signalling is complex and depends on the brain area. More selective and potent GalR ligands are necessary to develop new treatments aimed to modulate the galaninergic system.
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Alvarez‐Contino JE, Díaz‐Sánchez E, Mirchandani‐Duque M, Sánchez‐Pérez JA, Barbancho MA, López‐Salas A, García‐Casares N, Fuxe K, Borroto‐Escuela DO, Narváez M. GALR2 and Y1R agonists intranasal infusion enhanced adult ventral hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant-like effects involving BDNF actions. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:459-474. [PMID: 36599082 PMCID: PMC10952952 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is linked to major depressive disorder (MDD), with more than 300 million people diagnosed and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accumulating evidence for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) interaction was shown in various limbic system regions at molecular-, cellular-, and behavioral-specific levels. The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the proliferating role of GAL2 receptor (GALR2) and Y1R agonists interaction upon intranasal infusion in the ventral hippocampus. We studied their hippocampal proliferating actions using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on neuroblasts or stem cells and the expression of the brain-derived neurothrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, we studied the formation of Y1R-GALR2 heteroreceptor complexes and analyzed morphological changes in hippocampal neuronal cells. Finally, the functional outcome of the NPY and GAL interaction on the ventral hippocampus was evaluated in the forced swimming test. We demonstrated that the intranasal infusion of GALR2 and the Y1R agonists promotes neuroblasts proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the ventral hippocampus and the induction of the neurotrophic factor BDNF. These effects were mediated by the increased formation of Y1R-GALR2 heteroreceptor complexes, which may mediate the neurites outgrowth observed on neuronal hippocampal cells. Importantly, BDNF action was found necessary for the antidepressant-like effects after GALR2 and the Y1R agonists intranasal administration. Our data may suggest the translational development of new heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores acting on Y1R-GALR2 heterocomplexes in the ventral hippocampus for the novel therapy of MDD or depressive-affecting diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Erik Alvarez‐Contino
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
| | - Estela Díaz‐Sánchez
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
- Grupo Hospitalario VithasVithas MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Marina Mirchandani‐Duque
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
| | - Jose Andrés Sánchez‐Pérez
- Unit of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de MálagaHospital Universitario Virgen de la VictoriaMálagaSpain
| | - Miguel A. Barbancho
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
| | - Alexander López‐Salas
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
| | - Natalia García‐Casares
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Dasiel O. Borroto‐Escuela
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of PhysiologyUniversity of UrbinoUrbinoItaly
| | - Manuel Narváez
- Laboratorio NeuronLab, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de MálagaMalagaSpain
- Grupo Hospitalario VithasVithas MálagaMálagaSpain
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
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She Y, Ge R, Gu X, Fang P, Zhang Z. Cardioprotective effects of neuropeptide galanin: Focusing on its roles against diabetic heart. Peptides 2023; 159:170918. [PMID: 36435275 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Following an unprecedented rise in the number of the aged, the incidence of age-related diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is consequently increasing in the world. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The diabetic heart is characterized by increased cardiomyocyte stiffness and fibrotic changes. Despite many factors resulting in cardiomyocyte injury and dysfunction in diabetes, insulin resistance is still a critical etiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Preclinical and clinical studies have revealed an intriguing role for galanin in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetic heart disease. A significant change in plasma galanin levels occurred in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes or cardiomyocyte injury. In turn, galanin may also distinctly mitigate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in diabetes as well as increase glucose metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis in cardiac muscle. Here, we critically review current data about the multivariate relationship among galanin, insulin resistance, and cardiac muscle to comprehensively evaluate the protective role of galanin and its receptors for the diabetic heart and to determine whether galanin receptor 2 agonists potentially represent a feasible way to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing She
- Department of Endocrinology, Pukou Branch of Jiangsu People's Hospital, Nanjing 211899, China
| | - Ran Ge
- Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases in Chinese Medicine & Hanlin College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuewen Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Penghua Fang
- Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases in Chinese Medicine & Hanlin College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Zhenwen Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China.
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Metcalf CS, Gagangras S, Bulaj G, White HS. Synergistic effects of the galanin analog 810-2 with the antiseizure medication levetiracetam in rodent seizure models. Epilepsia 2022; 63:3090-3099. [PMID: 36177529 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17420] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of many antiseizure medications (ASMs) is limited due to pharmacoresistance and dose-limiting side effects, suggesting an unmet need for novel therapeutic approaches. The neuropeptide galanin reduces seizures in several preclinical seizure and epilepsy models, but its clinical utility is limited due to rapid metabolism and poor blood-brain barrier penetration. The lead galanin analog 810-2 is systemically bioavailable and reduces seizures when administered alone. Further development of this analog, with the potential for use as an add-on therapy in patients with epilepsy, requires a better understanding of the use of this analog in combination with approved ASMs. We sought to evaluate 810-2 in combination with commonly used ASMs in rodent models of seizures. METHODS The mouse 6-Hz seizure assay was used to test efficacy of 810-2 in combination with levetiracetam (LEV), valproic acid (VPA), or lacosamide (LCM) using a 1:1 dose ratio in isobolographic studies. Further characterization was performed for the combination of 810-2 and LEV in the mouse corneal kindling and rat 6-Hz assays. RESULTS Whereas the combination of 810-2 with VPA and LCM yielded additive interactions, the combination of 810-2 with LEV demonstrated a synergistic interaction in the mouse 6-Hz assay. Supra-additive effects were also observed in the mouse corneal kindling and rat 6-Hz assays for this combination. SIGNIFICANCE The combination of 810-2 with LEV suggests the potential for this galanin analog to be further developed as an add-on therapy for patients with epilepsy, particularly when coadministered with LEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron S Metcalf
- Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program Contract Site, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Saurabh Gagangras
- Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program Contract Site, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Grzegorz Bulaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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