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Natarajan C, Le LHD, Gunasekaran M, Tracey KJ, Chernoff D, Levine YA. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve ameliorates inflammation and disease activity in a rat EAE model of multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322577121. [PMID: 38968104 PMCID: PMC11252997 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322577121] [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] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) disorder that is associated with functional impairment and accruing disability. There are multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs that effectively dampen inflammation and slow disability progression. However, these agents do not work well for all patients and are associated with side effects that may limit their use. The vagus nerve (VN) provides a direct communication conduit between the CNS and the periphery, and modulation of the inflammatory reflex via electrical stimulation of the VN (VNS) shows efficacy in ameliorating pathology in several CNS and autoimmune disorders. We therefore investigated the impact of VNS in a rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. In this study, VNS-mediated neuroimmune modulation is demonstrated to effectively decrease EAE disease severity and duration, infiltration of neutrophils and pathogenic lymphocytes, myelin damage, blood-brain barrier disruption, fibrinogen deposition, and proinflammatory microglial activation. VNS modulates expression of genes that are implicated in MS pathogenesis, as well as those encoding myelin proteins and transcription factors regulating new myelin synthesis. Together, these data indicate that neuroimmune modulation via VNS may be a promising approach to treat MS, that not only ameliorates symptoms but potentially also promotes myelin repair (remyelination).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kevin J. Tracey
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY11030
- Department of Neurosurgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY11549
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY11549
| | | | - Yaakov A. Levine
- SetPoint Medical, Valencia, CA91355
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY11549
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm171 76, Sweden
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2
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Brotherton EJ, Sabapathy S, Dempsey LM, Kavanagh JJ. Short-latency afferent inhibition is reduced in people with multiple sclerosis during fatiguing muscle contractions. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2087-2101. [PMID: 38234172 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16253] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how inhibitory pathways influence motor cortical activity during fatiguing contractions may provide valuable insight into mechanisms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) muscle activation. Short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) reflects inhibitory interactions between the somatosensory cortex and the motor cortex, and although SAI is typically reduced with MS, it is unknown how SAI is regulated during exercise-induced fatigue. The current study examined how SAI modulates motor evoked potentials (MEPs) during fatiguing contractions. Fourteen people with relapsing-remitting MS (39 ± 6 years, nine female) and 10 healthy individuals (36 ± 6 years, six female) participated. SAI was induced by stimulation of the median nerve that was paired with TMS over the motor representation of the abductor pollicis brevis. A contraction protocol was employed that depressed force generating capacity using a sustained 3-min 15% MVC, immediately followed by a low-intensity (15% MVC) intermittent contraction protocol so that MEP and SAI could be measured during the rest phases of each duty cycle. Similar force, electromyography and MEP responses were observed between groups. However, the MS group had significantly reduced SAI during the contraction protocol compared to the healthy control group (p < .001). Despite the MS group reporting greater scores on the Fatigue Severity Scale and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, these scales did not correlate with inhibitory measures. As there were no between-group differences in SSEPs, MS-related SAI differences during the fatiguing contractions were most likely associated with disease-related changes in central integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Brotherton
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Surendran Sabapathy
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lisa M Dempsey
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Justin J Kavanagh
- Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Akyuz E, Celik BR, Aslan FS, Sahin H, Angelopoulou E. Exploring the Role of Neurotransmitters in Multiple Sclerosis: An Expanded Review. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:527-553. [PMID: 36724132 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00589] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Although emerging evidence has shown that changes in neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic gap may contribute to the pathophysiology of MS, their specific role has not been elucidated yet. In this review, we aim to analyze preclinical and clinical evidence on the structural and functional changes in neurotransmitters in MS and critically discuss their potential role in MS pathophysiology. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that alterations in glutamate metabolism may contribute to MS pathophysiology, by causing excitotoxic neuronal damage. Dysregulated interaction between glutamate and GABA results in synaptic loss. The GABAergic system also plays an important role, by regulating the activity and plasticity of neural networks. Targeting GABAergic/glutamatergic transmission may be effective in fatigue and cognitive impairment in MS. Acetylcholine (ACh) and dopamine can also affect the T-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby being implicated in MS-related neuroinflammation. Also, melatonin might affect the frequency of relapses in MS, by regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Increased levels of nitric oxide in inflammatory lesions of MS patients may be also associated with axonal neuronal degeneration. Therefore, neurotransmitter imbalance may be critically implicated in MS pathophysiology, and future studies are needed for our deeper understanding of their role in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enes Akyuz
- Department of Biophysics, International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey, 34668
| | - Betul Rana Celik
- Hamidiye School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey, 34668
| | - Feyza Sule Aslan
- Hamidiye International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey, 34668
| | - Humeyra Sahin
- School of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey, 34093
| | - Efthalia Angelopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 115 27
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Oshaghi M, Kourosh-Arami M, Roozbehkia M. Role of neurotransmitters in immune-mediated inflammatory disorders: a crosstalk between the nervous and immune systems. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:99-113. [PMID: 36169755 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06413-0] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are a group of common heterogeneous disorders, characterized by an alteration of cellular homeostasis. Primarily, it has been shown that the release and diffusion of neurotransmitters from nervous tissue could result in signaling through lymphocyte cell-surface receptors and the modulation of immune function. This finding led to the idea that the neurotransmitters could serve as immunomodulators. It is now manifested that neurotransmitters can also be released from leukocytes and act as autocrine or paracrine modulators. Increasing data indicate that there is a crosstalk between inflammation and alterations in neurotransmission. The primary goal of this review is to demonstrate how these two pathways may converge at the level of the neuron and glia to involve in IMID. We review the role of neurotransmitters in IMID. The different effects that these compounds exert on a variety of immune cells are also reviewed. Current and future developments in understanding the cross-talk between the immune and nervous systems will undoubtedly identify new ways for treating immune-mediated diseases utilizing agonists or antagonists of neurotransmitter receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Oshaghi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Kourosh-Arami
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Roozbehkia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Chen W, Hu Y. Study on the Mechanism of Improving Mice with Atherosclerosis Using Dendrocrepine. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2023. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2023.3226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Aim: To discuss Den on apoptosis and Nrf2/ARE in atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque of apolipoprotein in E (ApoE)-/- mice. Methods: Randomly dividing ApoE-/- mice as 5 groups including Normal, Model, Den-L (10 mg/kg), Den-M (20 mg/kg) and Den-H (40 mg/kg) groups. The atherosclerotic
vulnerable plaque model was established by high-fat feeding and right common carotid artery catheterization (perivascular carotid collar placement, PCR), and Den was given by difference concentration Den, the pathological changes of right common carotid arery, apoptosis of vascular smooth
muscle, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins expression using IHC and WB assay, Nrf2, ARE and MDA, 8-OHdG and TAC levels were detected. Results: Model group showed typical pathological changes of vulnerable plaque, the apoptosis cell number, Bax, Caspase-3 and MDA, 8-OHdG significantly
increased, the Bcl-2, Nrf2, ARE and TAC levels significantly decreased (P < 0.001, respectively); Compared with model group, the plaque of Den groups were reduced and tended to be stable, the apoptosis cell number, Bax, Caspase3 and MDA, 8-OHdG levels significantly decreased, Bcl-2, Nrf2,
ARE and TAC levels significantly increased (P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Den improves atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque of ApoE-/- mice, which is related to the inhibition of apoptosis and Nrf2/ARE pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- WeiWei Chen
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Vascular Surgery, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Timpani CA, Rybalka E. Calming the (Cytokine) Storm: Dimethyl Fumarate as a Therapeutic Candidate for COVID-19. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:15. [PMID: 33375288 PMCID: PMC7824470 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has rapidly spread worldwide and incidences of hospitalisation from respiratory distress are significant. While a vaccine is in the pipeline, there is urgency for therapeutic options to address the immune dysregulation, hyperinflammation and oxidative stress that can lead to death. Given the shared pathogenesis of severe cases of COVID-19 with aspects of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis, we propose dimethyl fumarate as a viable treatment option. Currently approved for multiple sclerosis and psoriasis, dimethyl fumarate is an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative drug that could be rapidly implemented into the clinic to calm the cytokine storm which drives severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A. Timpani
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, St Albans, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Emma Rybalka
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, St Albans, VIC 3021, Australia
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Maramai S, Brindisi M. Targeting Endocannabinoid Metabolism: an Arrow with Multiple Tips Against Multiple Sclerosis. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1985-2003. [PMID: 32762071 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. At present, there is no definitive cure, and the few available disease-modifying options display either poor efficacy or life-threatening side effects. There is clear evidence that relapsing-remitting clinical attacks in MS are driven by inflammatory demyelination and that the subsequent disease steps, being irresponsive to immunotherapy, result from neurodegeneration. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) stands halfway between three key pathomechanisms underlying MS, namely inflammation, neurodegeneration and oxidative stress, thus representing a kingpin for the identification of novel therapeutic targets in MS. This review summarizes the current state of the art in the field of endocannabinoid metabolism modulators and their in vivo effects on relevant animal models. We also highlight key molecular underpinnings of their therapeutic efficacy as well as the potential to turn them into promising clinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Maramai
- Department of Excellence of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- Department of Excellence of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Gatta V, Mengod G, Reale M, Tata AM. Possible Correlation between Cholinergic System Alterations and Neuro/Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E153. [PMID: 32521719 PMCID: PMC7345633 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8060153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Although the etiology of MS is still unknown, both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. Acetylcholine participates in the modulation of central and peripheral inflammation. The cells of the immune system, as well as microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes express cholinergic markers and receptors of muscarinic and nicotinic type. The role played by acetylcholine in MS has been recently investigated. In the present review, we summarize the evidence indicating the cholinergic dysfunction in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients and in the brains of the MS animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The correlation between the increased activity of the cholinergic hydrolyzing enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, the reduced levels of acetylcholine and the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines production were recently described in immune cells of MS patients. Moreover, the genetic polymorphisms for both hydrolyzing enzymes and the possible correlation with the altered levels of their enzymatic activity have been also reported. Finally, the changes in cholinergic markers expression in the central nervous system of EAE mice in peak and chronic phases suggest the involvement of the acetylcholine also in neuro-inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gatta
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | | | - Marcella Reale
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Science, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Ada Maria Tata
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies C. Darwin, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Research Center of Neurobiology Daniel Bovet, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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