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Song Z, He J, Yu W, He C, Yang M, Li P, Li Z, Jian G, Cheng S. Exploring the multifaceted therapeutic mechanism of Schisanlactone E (XTS) in APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease through multi-omics analysis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1440564. [PMID: 39044957 PMCID: PMC11263214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1440564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Schisanlactone E, also known as XueTongSu (XTS), is an active compound extracted from the traditional Tujia medicine Kadsura heteroclita ("XueTong"). Recent studies highlight its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, yet the mechanisms of XTS's therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) are unclear. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of XTS in AD. Methods Ten C57BL/6 mice were assigned to the control group (NC), and twenty APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into the model group (M) (10 mice) and the XTS treatment group (Tre) (10 mice). After an acclimatization period of 7 days, intraperitoneal injections were administered over a 60-day treatment period. The NC and M groups received saline, while the Tre group received XTS at 2 mg/kg. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. Histopathological changes were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence was used to assess pathological products and glial cell activation. Cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the hippocampus were quantified by qPCR. 16S rDNA sequencing analyzed gut microbiota metabolic alterations, and metabolomic analysis was performed on cortical samples. The KEGG database was used to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of XTS in AD treatment. Results XTS significantly improved learning and spatial memory in APP/PS1 mice and ameliorated histopathological changes, reducing Aβ plaque aggregation and glial cell activation. XTS decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. It also enhanced gut microbiota diversity, notably increasing Akkermansia species, and modulated levels of metabolites such as isosakuranetin, 5-KETE, 4-methylcatechol, and sphinganine. Pathway analysis indicated that XTS regulated carbohydrate metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, mitigating gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disturbances. Conclusion XTS ameliorates cognitive deficits, pathological changes, and inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice. It significantly modulates the gut microbiota, particularly increasing Akkermansia abundance, and influences levels of key metabolites in both the gut and brain. These findings suggest that XTS exerts anti-AD effects through the microbial-gut-brain axis (MGBA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Song
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiawei He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunxiang He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Yang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ze Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Gonghui Jian
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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2
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Strefeler A, Jan M, Quadroni M, Teav T, Rosenberg N, Chatton JY, Guex N, Gallart-Ayala H, Ivanisevic J. Molecular insights into sex-specific metabolic alterations in Alzheimer's mouse brain using multi-omics approach. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:8. [PMID: 36624525 PMCID: PMC9827669 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by altered cellular metabolism in the brain. Several of these alterations have been found to be exacerbated in females, known to be disproportionately affected by AD. We aimed to unravel metabolic alterations in AD at the metabolic pathway level and evaluate whether they are sex-specific through integrative metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analysis of mouse brain tissue. METHODS We analyzed male and female triple-transgenic mouse whole brain tissue by untargeted mass spectrometry-based methods to obtain a molecular signature consisting of polar metabolite, complex lipid, and protein data. These data were analyzed using multi-omics factor analysis. Pathway-level alterations were identified through joint pathway enrichment analysis or by separately evaluating lipid ontology and known proteins related to lipid metabolism. RESULTS Our analysis revealed significant AD-associated and in part sex-specific alterations across the molecular signature. Sex-dependent alterations were identified in GABA synthesis, arginine biosynthesis, and in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. AD-associated alterations involving lipids were also found in the fatty acid elongation pathway and lysophospholipid metabolism, with a significant sex-specific effect for the latter. CONCLUSIONS Through multi-omics analysis, we report AD-associated and sex-specific metabolic alterations in the AD brain involving lysophospholipid and amino acid metabolism. These findings contribute to the characterization of the AD phenotype at the molecular level while considering the effect of sex, an overlooked yet determinant metabolic variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Strefeler
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maxime Jan
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Bioinformatics Competence Center, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manfredo Quadroni
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Protein Analysis Facility, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tony Teav
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Rosenberg
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Chatton
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Guex
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Bioinformatics Competence Center, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hector Gallart-Ayala
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julijana Ivanisevic
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Metabolomics Unit, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Haque SS. Biomarkers in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. RUDN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.22363/2313-0245-2022-26-4-431-440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are molecules that behave as of biological states. Ideally, they should have high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in reflecting the total disease burden. The review discusses the current status of biomarkers used in neurological disorders. Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group disorders characterized by progressive loss of structure and function of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. The review discusses the main biomarkers that have predictive value for describing clinical etiology, pathophysiology, and intervention strategies. Preciseness and reliability are one of important requirement for good biomarker. As a result of the analysis of literature data, it was revealed that beta-amyloid, total tau protein and its phosphorylated forms are the first biochemical biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases measured in cerebrospinal fluid, but these markers are dependent upon invasive lumbar puncture and therefore it’s a cumbersome process for patients. Among the various biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, special attention is paid to miRNAs. MicroRNAs, important biomarkers in many disease states, including neurodegenerative disorders, make them promising candidates that may lead to identify new therapeutic targets. Conclusions. Biomarkers of neurological disease are present optimal amount in the cerebrospinal fluid but they are also present in blood at low levels. The data obtained reveal the predictive value of molecular diagnostics of neurodegenerative disorders and the need for its wider use.
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Therapeutic treatment with the anti-inflammatory drug candidate MW151 may partially reduce memory impairment and normalizes hippocampal metabolic markers in a mouse model of comorbid amyloid and vascular pathology. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262474. [PMID: 35081152 PMCID: PMC8791470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, but therapeutic options are lacking. Despite long being able to effectively treat the ill-effects of pathology present in various rodent models of AD, translation of these strategies to the clinic has so far been disappointing. One potential contributor to this situation is the fact that the vast majority of AD patients have other dementia-contributing comorbid pathologies, the most common of which are vascular in nature. This situation is modeled relatively infrequently in basic AD research, and almost never in preclinical studies. As part of our efforts to develop small molecule, anti-inflammatory therapeutics for neurological injury and disease, we have recently been exploring potentially promising treatments in preclinical multi-morbidity contexts. In the present study, we generated a mouse model of mixed amyloid and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) pathology in which to test the efficacy of one of our anti-inflammatory compounds, MW151. HHcy can cause cerebrovascular damage and is an independent risk factor for both AD dementia and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. We found that MW151 was able to partially rescue hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and learning deficits in this comorbidity context, and further, that the benefit is associated with a normalization of hippocampal metabolites detectable via magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These findings provide evidence that MW151 in particular, and potentially anti-inflammatory treatment more generally, may be beneficial in AD patients with comorbid vascular pathology.
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5
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Morland C, Nordengen K. N-Acetyl-Aspartyl-Glutamate in Brain Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031268. [PMID: 35163193 PMCID: PMC8836185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) is the most abundant dipeptide in the brain, where it acts as a neuromodulator of glutamatergic synapses by activating presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3). Recent data suggest that NAAG is selectively localized to postsynaptic dendrites in glutamatergic synapses and that it works as a retrograde neurotransmitter. NAAG is released in response to glutamate and provides the postsynaptic neuron with a feedback mechanisms to inhibit excessive glutamate signaling. A key regulator of synaptically available NAAG is rapid degradation by the extracellular enzyme glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII). Increasing endogenous NAAG—for instance by inhibiting GCPII—is a promising treatment option for many brain disorders where glutamatergic excitotoxicity plays a role. The main effect of NAAG occurs through increased mGluR3 activation and thereby reduced glutamate release. In the present review, we summarize the transmitter role of NAAG and discuss the involvement of NAAG in normal brain physiology. We further present the suggested roles of NAAG in various neurological and psychiatric diseases and discuss the therapeutic potential of strategies aiming to enhance NAAG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Morland
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 1068 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (K.N.); Tel.: +47-22844937; (C.M.); +47-23073580 (K.N.)
| | - Kaja Nordengen
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (K.N.); Tel.: +47-22844937; (C.M.); +47-23073580 (K.N.)
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6
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Hollinger KR, Sharma A, Tallon C, Lovell L, Thomas AG, Zhu X, Wiseman R, Wu Y, Kambhampati SP, Liaw K, Sharma R, Rojas C, Rais R, Kannan S, Kannan RM, Slusher BS. Dendrimer-2PMPA selectively blocks upregulated microglial GCPII activity and improves cognition in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Nanotheranostics 2022; 6:126-142. [PMID: 34976589 PMCID: PMC8671953 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.63158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS) for which there are no treatments. Reduced brain N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) levels are linked to impaired cognition in various neurological diseases, including MS. NAAG levels are regulated by glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), which hydrolyzes the neuropeptide to N-acetyl-aspartate and glutamate. GCPII activity is upregulated multifold in microglia following neuroinflammation. Although several GCPII inhibitors, such as 2-PMPA, elevate brain NAAG levels and restore cognitive function in preclinical studies when given at high systemic doses or via direct brain injection, none are clinically available due to poor bioavailability and limited brain penetration. Hydroxyl-dendrimers have been successfully used to selectively deliver drugs to activated glia. Methods: We attached 2-PMPA to hydroxyl polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (D-2PMPA) using a click chemistry approach. Cy5-labelled-D-2PMPA was used to visualize selective glial uptake in vitro and in vivo. D-2PMPA was evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-treated glial cultures. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-immunized mice, D-2PMPA was dosed biweekly starting at disease onset and cognition was assessed using the Barnes maze, and GCPII activity was measured in CD11b+ hippocampal cells. Results: D-2PMPA showed preferential uptake into microglia and robust anti-inflammatory activity, including elevations in NAAG, TGFβ, and mGluR3 in glial cultures. D-2PMPA significantly improved cognition in EAE mice, even though physical severity was unaffected. GCPII activity increased >20-fold in CD11b+ cells from EAE mice, which was significantly mitigated by D-2PMPA treatment. Conclusions: Hydroxyl dendrimers facilitate targeted drug delivery to activated microglia. These data support further development of D-2PMPA to attenuate elevated microglial GCPII activity and treat cognitive impairment in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lyndah Lovell
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ajit G Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robyn Wiseman
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Siva P Kambhampati
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Liaw
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camilo Rojas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rangaramanujam M Kannan
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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7
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Yang S, Datta D, Elizabeth Woo, Duque A, Morozov YM, Arellano J, Slusher BS, Wang M, Arnsten AFT. Inhibition of glutamate-carboxypeptidase-II in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: potential therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory cognitive disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4252-4263. [PMID: 35732693 PMCID: PMC9718677 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01656-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate carboxypeptidase-II (GCPII) expression in brain is increased by inflammation, e.g. by COVID19 infection, where it reduces NAAG stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 3 (mGluR3). GCPII-mGluR3 signaling is increasingly linked to higher cognition, as genetic alterations that weaken mGluR3 or increase GCPII signaling are associated with impaired cognition in humans. Recent evidence from macaque dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) shows that mGluR3 are expressed on dendritic spines, where they regulate cAMP-PKA opening of potassium (K+) channels to enhance neuronal firing during working memory. However, little is known about GCPII expression and function in the primate dlPFC, despite its relevance to inflammatory disorders. The present study used multiple label immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy to localize GCPII in aging macaque dlPFC, and examined the effects of GCPII inhibition on dlPFC neuronal physiology and working memory function. GCPII was observed in astrocytes as expected, but also on neurons, including extensive expression in dendritic spines. Recordings in dlPFC from aged monkeys performing a working memory task found that iontophoresis of the GCPII inhibitors 2-MPPA or 2-PMPA markedly increased working memory-related neuronal firing and spatial tuning, enhancing neural representations. These beneficial effects were reversed by an mGluR2/3 antagonist, or by a cAMP-PKA activator, consistent with mGluR3 inhibition of cAMP-PKA-K+ channel signaling. Systemic administration of the brain penetrant inhibitor, 2-MPPA, significantly improved working memory performance without apparent side effects, with largest effects in the oldest monkeys. Taken together, these data endorse GCPII inhibition as a potential strategy for treating cognitive disorders associated with aging and/or neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Yang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA ,grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Elizabeth Woo
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Alvaro Duque
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Yury M. Morozov
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jon Arellano
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department Neurology and Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Min Wang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Amy F. T. Arnsten
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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8
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Sharma A, Muresanu DF, Patnaik R, Menon PK, Tian ZR, Sahib S, Castellani RJ, Nozari A, Lafuente JV, Buzoianu AD, Skaper SD, Bryukhovetskiy I, Manzhulo I, Wiklund L, Sharma HS. Histamine H3 and H4 receptors modulate Parkinson's disease induced brain pathology. Neuroprotective effects of nanowired BF-2649 and clobenpropit with anti-histamine-antibody therapy. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 266:1-73. [PMID: 34689857 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Military personnel deployed in combat operations are highly prone to develop Parkinson's disease (PD) in later lives. PD largely involves dopaminergic pathways with hallmarks of increased alpha synuclein (ASNC), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) precipitating brain pathology. However, increased histaminergic nerve fibers in substantia nigra pars Compacta (SNpc), striatum (STr) and caudate putamen (CP) associated with upregulation of Histamine H3 receptors and downregulation of H4 receptors in human cases of PD is observed in postmortem cases. These findings indicate that modulation of histamine H3 and H4 receptors and/or histaminergic transmission may induce neuroprotection in PD induced brain pathology. In this review effects of a potent histaminergic H3 receptor inverse agonist BF-2549 or clobenpropit (CLBPT) partial histamine H4 agonist with H3 receptor antagonist, in association with monoclonal anti-histamine antibodies (AHmAb) in PD brain pathology is discussed based on our own observations. Our investigation shows that chronic administration of conventional or TiO2 nanowired BF 2649 (1mg/kg, i.p.) or CLBPT (1mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 1 week together with nanowired delivery of HAmAb (25μL) significantly thwarted ASNC and p-tau levels in the SNpC and STr and reduced PD induced brain pathology. These observations are the first to show the involvement of histamine receptors in PD and opens new avenues for the development of novel drug strategies in clinical strategies for PD, not reported earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Dafin F Muresanu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; "RoNeuro" Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ranjana Patnaik
- Department of Biomaterials, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Preeti K Menon
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Z Ryan Tian
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Seaab Sahib
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Rudy J Castellani
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ala Nozari
- Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Anca D Buzoianu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Stephen D Skaper
- Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Department of Pharmacology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Igor Bryukhovetskiy
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia; Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Igor Manzhulo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Lars Wiklund
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hari Shanker Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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9
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Ketogenic therapy in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders: From mice to men. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 101:109913. [PMID: 32151695 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat diet that has been used for over 100 years in the management of childhood refractory epilepsy. More recently, ketogenic diet has been investigated for a number of metabolic, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this comprehensive review, we critically examine the potential therapeutic benefits of ketogenic diet and ketogenic agents on neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders in humans and translationally valid animal models. The preclinical literature provides strong support for the efficacy of ketogenic diet in a variety of diverse animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the evidence from clinical studies, while encouraging, particularly in Alzheimer's disease, psychotic and autism spectrum disorders, is limited to case studies and small pilot trials. Firm conclusion on the efficacy of ketogenic diet in psychiatric disorders cannot be drawn due to the lack of randomised, controlled clinical trials. The potential mechanisms of action of ketogenic therapy in these disorders with diverse pathophysiology may include energy metabolism, oxidative stress and immune/inflammatory processes. In conclusion, while ketogenic diet and ketogenic substances hold promise pre-clinically in a variety of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, further studies, particularly randomised controlled clinical trials, are warranted to better understand their clinical efficacy and potential side effects.
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10
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Hollinger KR, Alt J, Rais R, Kaplin AI, Slusher BS. The NAAG’ing Concerns of Modeling Human Alzheimer’s Disease in Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 68:939-945. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-181251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R. Hollinger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam I. Kaplin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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11
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LC–MS/MS determination of N-acetylaspartic acid in dried blood spot for selective screening of Canavan disease. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00706-018-2349-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Wu SP, Li D, Wang N, Hou JC, Zhao L. YiQi Tongluo Granule against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Freezing GluN2B and CaMK II through NMDAR/ERK1/2 Signaling. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2019; 67:244-252. [DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c18-00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Si-peng Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
- Institute for Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education
| | - Dan Li
- Jing-Jin-Ji Joint Innovation Pharmaceutical (Beijing) Co., Ltd
| | - Ning Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
- Institute for Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education
| | - Jin-cai Hou
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education
| | - Li Zhao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
- Institute for Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education
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13
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Oeltzschner G, Wijtenburg SA, Mikkelsen M, Edden RAE, Barker PB, Joo JH, Leoutsakos JMS, Rowland LM, Workman CI, Smith GS. Neurometabolites and associations with cognitive deficits in mild cognitive impairment: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 7 Tesla. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 73:211-218. [PMID: 30390554 PMCID: PMC6294473 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The levels of several brain metabolites were investigated in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in 13 healthy controls (HC) and 13 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7T. Levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), glutathione (GSH), N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and myo-inositol (mI) were quantified relative to total creatine (tCr). The effect of diagnosis on metabolite levels, and relationships between metabolite levels and memory and executive function, correcting for age, were investigated. MCI patients showed significantly decreased GABA/tCr (ACC, PCC), Glu/tCr (PCC), and NAA/tCr (PCC), and significantly increased mI/tCr (ACC). In the combined group, worse episodic verbal memory performance was correlated with lower Glu/tCr (PCC), lower NAA/tCr (PCC), and higher mI/tCr (ACC, PCC). Worse verbal fluency performance was correlated with lower GSH/tCr (PCC). In summary, MCI is associated with decreased GABA and Glu, most consistently in the PCC. Further studies in larger patient samples should be undertaken to determine the utility of 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy in detecting MCI-related neurochemical changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - S Andrea Wijtenburg
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroimaging Research Program, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter B Barker
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jin Hui Joo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeannie-Marie S Leoutsakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Laura M Rowland
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Neuroimaging Research Program, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Clifford I Workman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Gwenn S Smith
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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14
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A multi-matrix HILIC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of endogenous small molecule neurological biomarker N- acetyl aspartic acid (NAA). J Pharm Biomed Anal 2017; 140:11-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Jurdáková H, Górová R, Addová G, Behúlová D, Ostrovský I. The state of treatment approach and diagnostics in Canavan disease with focus on the determination of N-acetylasparic acid. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-016-0033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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16
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Paglia G, Stocchero M, Cacciatore S, Lai S, Angel P, Alam MT, Keller M, Ralser M, Astarita G. Unbiased Metabolomic Investigation of Alzheimer's Disease Brain Points to Dysregulation of Mitochondrial Aspartate Metabolism. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:608-18. [PMID: 26717242 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b01020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of adult dementia. Yet the complete set of molecular changes accompanying this inexorable, neurodegenerative disease remains elusive. Here we adopted an unbiased lipidomics and metabolomics approach to surveying frozen frontal cortex samples from clinically characterized AD patients (n = 21) and age-matched controls (n = 19), revealing marked molecular differences between them. Then, by means of metabolomic pathway analysis, we incorporated the novel molecular information into the known biochemical pathways and compared it with the results of a metabolomics meta-analysis of previously published AD research. We found six metabolic pathways of the central metabolism as well as glycerophospholipid metabolism predominantly altered in AD brains. Using targeted metabolomics approaches and MS imaging, we confirmed a marked dysregulation of mitochondrial aspartate metabolism. The altered metabolic pathways were further integrated with clinical data, showing various degrees of correlation with parameters of dementia and AD pathology. Our study highlights specific, altered biochemical pathways in the brains of individuals with AD compared with those of control subjects, emphasizing dysregulation of mitochondrial aspartate metabolism and supporting future venues of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Paglia
- Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bolzano/Bozen , Via Galvani 31, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.,Center for Systems Biology, University of Iceland , Sturlugata 8, IS 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Matteo Stocchero
- S-IN Soluzioni Informatiche S.r.l. , via G. Ferrari 14, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacciatore
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Lai
- Waters Corporation , Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Peggi Angel
- Protea Biosciences Group, Incorporated Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Mohammad Tauqeer Alam
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Keller
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Ralser
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom.,Mill Hill Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute , The Ridgeway, London NW1 7AA, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Astarita
- Waters Corporation , Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University , Washington, District of Columbia 20007, United States
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17
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Still NAAG’ing After All These Years. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH T. COYLE 2016; 76:215-55. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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18
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Khacho P, Wang B, Ahlskog N, Hristova E, Bergeron R. Differential effects of N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate on synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors are subunit- and pH-dependent in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 82:580-592. [PMID: 26303888 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic strokes cause excessive release of glutamate, leading to overactivation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and excitotoxicity-induced neuronal death. For this reason, inhibition of NMDARs has been a central focus in identifying mechanisms to avert this extensive neuronal damage. N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG), the most abundant neuropeptide in the brain, is neuroprotective in ischemic conditions in vivo. Despite this evidence, the exact mechanism underlying its neuroprotection, and more specifically its effect on NMDARs, is currently unknown due to conflicting results in the literature. Here, we uncover a pH-dependent subunit-specific action of NAAG on NMDARs. Using whole-cell electrophysiological recordings on acute hippocampal slices from adult mice and on HEK293 cells, we found that NAAG increases synaptic GluN2A-containing NMDAR EPSCs, while effectively decreasing extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDAR EPSCs in physiological pH. Intriguingly, the results of our study further show that in low pH, which is a physiological occurrence during ischemia, NAAG depresses GluN2A-containing NMDAR EPSCs and amplifies its inhibitory effect on GluN2B-containing NMDAR EPSCs, as well as upregulates the surface expression of the GluN2A subunit. Altogether, our data demonstrate that NAAG has differential effects on NMDAR function based on subunit composition and pH. These findings suggest that the role of NAAG as a neuroprotective agent during an ischemic stroke is likely mediated by its ability to reduce NMDAR excitation. The inhibitory effect of NAAG on NMDARs and its enhanced function in acidic conditions make NAAG a prime therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Khacho
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Boyang Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nina Ahlskog
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Elitza Hristova
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Richard Bergeron
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada.
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19
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Relkin NR. Beyond symptomatic therapy: a re-examination of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 7:735-48. [PMID: 17561789 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.7.6.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are generally regarded as palliative treatments for Alzheimer's disease that slow the progression of dementia symptoms without altering Alzheimer's disease's underlying pathogenic mechanisms. This concept is based on inference rather than evidence, and has limited the scope and persistence of AChEI use in clinical practice. Recent preclinical studies demonstrate that AChEIs exhibit a number of biological effects in addition to cholinesterase inhibition. A broader understanding of the possible mechanisms of action of AChEIs in Alzheimer's disease could result in more effective use and assist in the development of new and improved therapies. The available evidence brings into question the prevailing view that AChEIs are exclusively symptomatic treatments and supports the use of these agents persistently throughout the course of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman R Relkin
- Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 428 East 72nd Street, Suite 500, NY 10017, USA.
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20
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Inhibition of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) activity as a treatment for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:20101-6. [PMID: 23169655 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1209934109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive impairment, for which there is no pharmacological treatment. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we examined metabolic changes in the hippocampi of MS patients, compared the findings to performance on a neurocognitive test battery, and found that N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) concentration correlated with cognitive functioning. Specifically, MS patients with cognitive impairment had low hippocampal NAAG levels, whereas those with normal cognition demonstrated higher levels. We then evaluated glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inhibitors, known to increase brain NAAG levels, on cognition in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. Whereas GCPII inhibitor administration did not affect physical disabilities, it increased brain NAAG levels and dramatically improved learning and memory test performance compared with vehicle-treated EAE mice. These data suggest that NAAG is a unique biomarker for cognitive function in MS and that inhibition of GCPII might be a unique therapeutic strategy for recovery of cognitive function.
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21
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Reynolds LM, Reynolds GP. Differential regional N-acetylaspartate deficits in postmortem brain in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:54-9. [PMID: 20684832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There is substantial evidence for the involvement of the hippocampus and subcortical regions in the neuropathology of schizophrenia. Deficits of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) have been found in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder which may reflect neuronal loss and/or dysfunction. N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is the most abundant peptide transmitter in the mammalian nervous system. It is an agonist at presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR3, inhibiting glutamate release. NAA and NAAG and were measured in hippocampal, striatal, amygdala and cingulate gyrus regions of human postmortem tissue from controls and subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. There are significant deficits in hippocampal NAA concentrations in all patient groups. In the amygdala there are significant NAA deficits in schizophrenia and depression and significant deficits of NAAG in the amygdala in the depression group. The deficits in NAA reported in this study confirm the importance of hippocampal and other subcortical structures in the neuropathology of the major psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Reynolds
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
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22
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Shamasundar NM, Sathyanarayana Rao TS, Dhanunjaya Naidu M, Ravid R, Rao KSJ. A new insight on Al-maltolate-treated aged rabbit as Alzheimer's animal model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 52:275-92. [PMID: 16782202 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2006.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2005] [Revised: 03/31/2006] [Accepted: 04/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lack of an adequate animal model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has limited an understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and the development of therapeutic agents targeting key pathophysiological processes. There are undoubtedly few satisfactory animal models for exploring therapies targeting at amyloid beta (Abeta) secretion, deposition, aggregation, and probably the inflammatory response. However, an understanding of the complex events--tau, Abeta, oxidative stress, redox active iron, etc.--involved in the neuronal cell loss is still unclear due to the lack of a suitable animal model system. The use of neurotoxic agents particularly aluminum-organic complexes, especially Al-maltolate, expands the scope of AD research by providing new animal models exhibiting neurodegenerative processes relevant to AD neuropathology. Examination of different species of aged animals including the rapidly advancing transgenic mouse models revealed very limited AD-like pathology. Most other animal models have single event expression such as extracellular Abeta deposition, intraneuronal neurofilamentous aggregation of proteins akin to neurofibrillary tangles, oxidative stress or apoptosis. To date, there are no paradigms of any animal in which all the features of AD were evident. However, the intravenous injection of Al-maltolate into aged New zealand white rabbits results in conditions which mimics a number of neuropathological, biochemical and behavioral changes observed in AD. Such neurodegenerative effects include the formation of intraneuronal neurofilamentous aggregates that are tau positive, immunopositivity of Abeta, presence of redox active iron, oxidative stress and apoptosis, adds credence to the value of this animal model system. The use of this animal model should not be confused with the ongoing controversy regarding the possible role of Al in the neuropathogenesis, a debate which by no means has been concluded. Above all this animal model involving neuropathology induced by Al-maltolate provides a new information in understanding the mechanism of neurodegeneration.
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23
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Zhou J, Neale JH, Pomper MG, Kozikowski AP. NAAG peptidase inhibitors and their potential for diagnosis and therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2005; 4:1015-26. [PMID: 16341066 DOI: 10.1038/nrd1903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase activity with small-molecule inhibitors holds promise for a wide variety of diseases that involve glutamatergic transmission, and has implications for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. This new class of compounds, of which at least one has entered clinical trials and proven to be well tolerated, has demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of pain, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and, when appropriately functionalized, can image prostate cancer. Further investigation of these promising drug candidates will be needed to bring them to the marketplace. The recent publication of the X-ray crystal structure for the enzymatic target of these compounds should facilitate the development of other new agents with enhanced activity that could improve both the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhou
- Acenta Discovery, Inc., 9030 South Rita Road, Suite 300, Tucson, Arizona 85747, USA.
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24
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Patočka J, Slaninová J, Kunešová G. Neuroprotective peptides as drug candidates against Alzheimer's diasease. J Appl Biomed 2005. [DOI: 10.32725/jab.2005.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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25
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Petroff OAC, Errante LD, Rothman DL, Kim JH, Spencer DD. Neuronal and glial metabolite content of the epileptogenic human hippocampus. Ann Neurol 2002; 52:635-42. [PMID: 12402262 DOI: 10.1002/ana.10360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by hippocampal atrophy, hypometabolism, and decreased N-acetylaspartate, often attributed to neuron loss and gliosis. Twenty hippocampal specimens were obtained during temporal lobectomy and frozen quickly. Perchloric acid extracts of the small metabolites were analyzed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. There were no significant associations between hippocampal neuron loss and the cellular content of N-acetylaspartate, glutamate, GABA, glutamine, or aspartate. The mean metabolite content of hippocampi with less than 30% of neurons remaining was the same as those with greater than 65% of neurons surviving. Mean N-acetylaspartate levels were below those reported by in vivo studies of control subjects. The highest and the lowest glutamate concentrations were seen in specimens with the worst neuron loss. A highly significant association between hippocampal N-acetylaspartate and glutamate content was seen with weak associations between N-acetylaspartate and aspartate and glutamate and aspartate. The hippocampal content of N-acetylaspartate, glutamate, GABA, glutamine, and aspartate is altered minimally by severe neuron loss in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. The epileptic human hippocampus has increased intracellular glutamate content that may contribute to the epileptogenic nature of hippocampal sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ognen A C Petroff
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8018, USA.
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26
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Brooks WM, Friedman SD, Gasparovic C. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2001; 16:149-64. [PMID: 11275576 DOI: 10.1097/00001199-200104000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offers a unique non-invasive approach for assessing the metabolic status of the brain in vivo and is particularly suited to studying traumatic brain injury (TBI). In particular, MRS provides a noninvasive means for quantifying such neurochemicals as N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine, phosphocreatine, choline, lactate, myo-inositol, glutamine, glutamate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and inorganic phosphate in humans following TBI and in animal models. Many of these chemicals have been shown to be perturbed following TBI. NAA, a marker of neuronal integrity, has been shown to be reduced following TBI, reflecting diffuse axonal injury or metabolic depression, and concentrations of NAA predict cognitive outcome. Elevation of choline-containing compounds indicates membrane breakdown or inflammation or both. MRS can also detect alterations in high energy phosphates reflecting the energetic abnormalities seen after TBI. Accordingly, MRS may be useful to monitor cellular response to therapeutic interventions in TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- W M Brooks
- Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Research Center; Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, 87131, USA.
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27
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Matalon R, Rady PL, Platt KA, Skinner HB, Quast MJ, Campbell GA, Matalon K, Ceci JD, Tyring SK, Nehls M, Surendran S, Wei J, Ezell EL, Szucs S. Knock-out mouse for Canavan disease: a model for gene transfer to the central nervous system. J Gene Med 2000; 2:165-75. [PMID: 10894262 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1521-2254(200005/06)2:3<165::aid-jgm107>3.0.co;2-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canavan disease (CD) is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy characterized by deficiency of aspartoacylase (ASPA) and increased levels of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) in brain and body fluids, severe mental retardation and early death. Gene therapy has been attempted in a number of children with CD. The lack of an animal model has been a limiting factor in developing vectors for the treatment of CD. This paper reports the successful creation of a knock-out mouse for Canavan disease that can be used for gene transfer. METHODS Genomic library lambda knock-out shuttle (lambdaKOS) was screened and a specific pKOS/Aspa clone was isolated and used to create a plasmid with 10 base pair (bp) deletion of exon four of the murine aspa. Following linearization, the plasmid was electroporated to ES cells. Correctly targeted ES clones were identified following positive and negative selection and confirmed by Southern analysis. Chimeras were generated by injection of ES cells to blastocysts. Germ line transmission was achieved by the birth of heterozygous mice as confirmed by Southern analysis. RESULTS Heterozygous mice born following these experiments have no overt phenotype. The homozygous mice display neurological impairment, macrocephaly, generalized white matter disease, deficient ASPA activity and high levels of NAA in urine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain of the homozygous mice show white matter changes characteristic of Canavan disease and elevated NAA levels. CONCLUSION The newly created ASPA deficient mouse establishes an important animal model of Canavan disease. This model should be useful for developing gene transfer vectors to treat Canavan disease. Vectors for the central nervous system (CNS) and modulation of NAA levels in the brain should further add to the understanding of the pathophysiology of Canavan disease. Data generated from this animal model will be useful for developing strategies for gene therapy in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Matalon
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, UTMB Galveston, TX 77555-0359, USA.
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Stoppe G, Bruhn H, Pouwels PJ, Hänicke W, Frahm J. Alzheimer disease: absolute quantification of cerebral metabolites in vivo using localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2000; 14:112-9. [PMID: 10850750 DOI: 10.1097/00002093-200004000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain metabolites such as N-acetylaspartate and myo-inositol has been proposed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. Thirty patients with probable Alzheimer disease as well as 22 elderly controls underwent quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of parietal gray and white matter with use of a short-echo time localization technique (echo time, 20 ms; repetition times, 6,000 and 3,000 ms, 2.0 Tesla) providing access to the regional concentrations of N-acetylaspartate, creatine, choline-containing compounds, myoinositol, glutamate, glutamine, and lactate. No statistically significant alterations of the metabolites were found in patients relative to controls. There were also no differences between patients with early and late onset of the disease and with respect to the presence of APOE-epsilon4 phenotype. A general trend for slightly decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate and creatine was not observed for their respective concentration ratios. In summary, the spectroscopic findings were in accord with known Alzheimer disease neuropathology, i.e., mild gliosis in white matter as well as mildly enhanced cortical atrophy in comparison to elderly controls. However, cortical atrophy with little or no N-acetylaspartate changes provided no evidence for a major decrease of neuronal density or loss of viable neurons. The data do not support the utility of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Stoppe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie der Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
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Pangalos MN, Neefs JM, Somers M, Verhasselt P, Bekkers M, van der Helm L, Fraiponts E, Ashton D, Gordon RD. Isolation and expression of novel human glutamate carboxypeptidases with N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:8470-83. [PMID: 10085079 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.13.8470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrolysis of the neuropeptide N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate (NAAG) by N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) to release glutamate may be important in a number of neurodegenerative disorders in which excitotoxic mechanisms are implicated. The gene coding for human prostate-specific membrane antigen, a marker of prostatic carcinomas, and its rat homologue glutamate carboxypeptidase II have recently been shown to possess such NAALADase activity. In contrast, a closely related member of this gene family, rat ileal 100-kDa protein, possesses a dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity. Here, we describe the cloning of human ileal 100-kDa protein, which we have called a NAALADase- "like" (NAALADase L) peptidase based on its sequence similarity to other members of this gene family, and its inability to hydrolyze NAAG in transient transfection experiments. Furthermore, we describe the cloning of a third novel member of this gene family, NAALADase II, which codes for a type II integral membrane protein and which we have localized to chromosome 11 by fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis. Transient transfection of NAALADase II cDNA confers both NAALADase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity to COS cells. Expression studies using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot hybridization show that NAALADase II is highly expressed in ovary and testis as well as within discrete brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Pangalos
- Janssen Research Foundation, B2340 Beerse, Belgium.
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30
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Stevens H, Jakobs C, de Jager AE, Cunningham RT, Korf J. Neurone-specific enolase and N-acetyl-aspartate as potential peripheral markers of ischaemic stroke. Eur J Clin Invest 1999; 29:6-11. [PMID: 10092982 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1999.00408.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After stroke, brain-specific proteins (including neurone-specific enolase) leak into the blood. The question addressed in the present study was whether N-acetyl-aspartate (amino acid derivative localized in cerebral neurones) could also serve as a peripheral marker of ischaemic damage. N-acetyl-aspartate levels were determined in the blood of stroke patients and related to clinical outcome, volume of infarction and to serum neurone-specific enolase. METHODS Blood samples from 19 patients (seven women, 12 men, mean age of 73 years, range 56-88 years) were collected during the first 4 days after stroke and analysed for neurone-specific enolase (radioimmunoassay) and/or N-acetyl-aspartate (mass spectrometry). Clinical outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Score, and volume of infarction was calculated using computerized tomography (CT). Control values of N-acetyl-aspartate, determined in six female and nine male volunteers (mean age 47.4 years; range 28-73 years) were 0.26 +/- 0.02 mumol L-1. RESULTS The increase in serum N-acetyl-aspartate was highly significant (P < 0.0001) within the first 24 h and at 72 h after stroke and correlated (P < 0.05) with volume of infarction only in patients with a bad prognosis (Glasgow Outcome Score < 5). Serum N-acetyl-aspartate at 24 h and neurone-specific enolase at 72 h were negatively correlated, suggesting that more N-acetyl-aspartate reaches the blood when brain tissue is less irreversibly affected. CONCLUSION Serum N-acetyl-aspartate appears to be an early peripheral marker of ischaemically affected brain neurones, and the ratio of N-acetyl-aspartate to a protein marker, such as NSE, may serve as an index of irreversibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Stevens
- Department of Biological Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands
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31
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Passani LA, Vonsattel JP, Coyle JT. Distribution of N-acetylaspartylglutamate immunoreactivity in human brain and its alteration in neurodegenerative disease. Brain Res 1997; 772:9-22. [PMID: 9406950 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00784-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The dipeptide N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) may be involved in the process of glutamatergic signaling by both acting at glutamate receptors and as a glutamate protransmitter. In the present study we determined the cellular localization and distribution of NAAG-like immunoreactivity (NAAG-LI) in normal human brain and in neurodegenerative disorders to ascertain the degree of NAAG's colocalization to putative glutamatergic pathways. Immunohistochemistry with an antibody against NAAG was performed on control, Huntington's disease (HD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) human autopsy and biopsy brain sections from the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, neostriatum, brainstem and spinal cord. In normal human brain, NAAG-LI was widespread localized to putative glutamatergic pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Punctate NAAG-LI was present in areas known to receive neuronal glutamatergic input, such as layer IV of the cerebral cortex, striatal neuropil, and the outer portion of the molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. In the two pathologic brain regions examined, the HD neostriatum and the AD temporal cortex, we observed a widespread loss of NAAG-LI neurons. In addition NAAG-LI reactive microglia surrounding plaques were seen in AD temporal cortex but not in the HD striatum. Our results suggest that NAAG is substantially localized to putative glutamatergic pathways in human brain and that NAAG-LI neurons are vulnerable to the neurodegenerative process in HD and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Passani
- Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, USA
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32
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Passani LA, Vonsattel JP, Carter RE, Coyle JT. N-acetylaspartylglutamate, N-acetylaspartate, and N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase in human brain and their alterations in Huntington and Alzheimer's diseases. MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL NEUROPATHOLOGY 1997; 31:97-118. [PMID: 9376025 DOI: 10.1007/bf02815236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
There is mounting evidence, primarily from research in experimental animals, that the dipeptide N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and its metabolic enzyme, N-acetylated alpha-linked acid dipeptidase (NAALADase), are involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission. Previous studies in neuropsychiatric disorders associated with the dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, such as schizophrenia, seizure disorders, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), have revealed region-specific alterations in the levels of NAAG and in the activity of NAALADase. To establish better the cellular localization of these and related parameters in human brain, we have examined their alterations in two well-characterized selective neurodengenerative disorders, Huntington Disease (HD) and Alzheimer Disease (AD). Brain regions from postmortem controls and HD- or AD-affected individuals were assayed to determine the activity of NAALADase as well as the levels of NAAG, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and several amino acids. The relationships between changes in these neurochemical parameters and changes in neuronal and glial cell density were determined. The present report demonstrates that the decreases in the levels of NAAG and NAA and in the activity of NAALADase in AD and HD brain correlate primarily with neuronal loss. By inference, the results suggest that NAAG and NAA have primarily a neuronal localization in human brain and that there is a close relationship between NAAG and the dipeptidase NAALADase in populations of affected neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Passani
- Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, USA
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Pouwels PJ, Frahm J. Differential distribution of NAA and NAAG in human brain as determined by quantitative localized proton MRS. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 1997; 10:73-78. [PMID: 9267864 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1492(199704)10:2<73::aid-nbm448>3.0.co;2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed in frontal, parietal and occipital white and gray matter of young adults with use of a fully relaxed, short-echo time stimulated echo acquisition mode localization sequence at 2.0 T. Separate concentrations of the neuronal compounds N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) were obtained by user-independent spectral analysis (LCModel). Except for occipital gray matter in which an NAA concentration of 10.1 +/- 1.0 mM correlated with enhanced neuronal density in visual cortex, NAA was found to be homogeneously distributed throughout cortical white and gray matter at a concentration of 8.0-8.9 mM. NAAG concentrations of 1.5-2.7 mM were higher in white matter than levels of 0.6-1.5 mM found in gray matter, contributing up to 25% of total N-acetyl-containing compounds. The frontal to parieto-occipital increase of both gray and white matter NAAG levels is also reflected in the distribution of total NAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Pouwels
- Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH am Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Göttingen, Germany
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34
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Abstract
Calcium-binding proteins containing local circuit neurons are distributed ubiquitously in the human cerebral cortex where they colocalize with a subpopulation of cells that contain GABA. Several reports using a variety of pathological models, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), have suggested that cells containing calcium-binding proteins are resistant to pathological insults. In this report, we test the hypothesis that AD pathology can differentially affect parvalbumin-containing cells depending on their location in the entorhinal cortex and the state of projection neurons with which they are associated. Using cases with different quantities of AD pathology, we determined the density of immunostaining for parvalbumin in the entorhinal cortex, and we correlated this with the concomitant pathological lesions in the various layers of this cortex. Our results show a clear decrease in parvalbumin immunostaining in some parts of the entorhinal cortex when AD neuropathological markers are present. As the density of pathological markers in the entorhinal cortex becomes greater and more widespread, there is a decrease of parvalbumin immunostaining in additional layers, although in all cases, some cells persist. Parvalbumin-containing neurons are clearly vulnerable in AD, but not because of neurofibrillary tangle formation. Instead, they are rendered vulnerable only after substantial loss of projection neurons; only then do they, too, become part of the lesion.
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35
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Jackson PF, Cole DC, Slusher BS, Stetz SL, Ross LE, Donzanti BA, Trainor DA. Design, synthesis, and biological activity of a potent inhibitor of the neuropeptidase N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase. J Med Chem 1996; 39:619-22. [PMID: 8558536 DOI: 10.1021/jm950801q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A series of substituted phosphonate derivatives were designed and synthesized in order to study the ability of these compounds to inhibit the neuropeptidase N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase). The molecules were shown to act as inhibitors of the enzyme, with the most potent (compound 3) having a Ki of 0.275 nM. The potency of this compound is more than 1000 times greater than that of previously reported inhibitors of the enzyme. NAALADase is responsible for the catabolism of the abundant neuropeptide N-acetyl-aspartylglutamate (NAAG) into N-acetylaspartate and glutamate. NAAG has been proposed to be a neurotransmitter at a subpopulation of glutamate receptors; alternatively, NAAG has been suggested to act as a storage form of synaptic glutamate. As a result, inhibition of NAALADase may show utility as a therapeutic intervention in diseases in which altered levels of glutamate are thought to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Jackson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, ZENECA Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Delaware 19897, USA
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36
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Abstract
Establishing the basic defect in Canavan disease has led to reliable biochemical methods for the diagnosis of this disease. The isolation of the gene and identification of mutations causing Canavan disease have led to the possibility of using DNA methods for the diagnosis of Canavan disease and for carrier detection. A surprising finding is the high carrier frequency of this gene defect among Ashkenazi Jewish people. Analysis for two mutations leads to the identification of 97% of Jewish patients with Canavan disease, and screening of Ashkenazi Jews is possible. N-Acetylaspartic acid has been considered to be an inert compound. The pathophysiology of Canavan disease links lack of NAA hydrolysis to a severe, debilitating white matter disease. Currently, NAA is being studied in many other brain disorders, such as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, and stroke. However, the only disease with a specific defect in the metabolism of NAA is Canavan disease. An animal model for Canavan disease is needed to study some of the questions regarding the role of NAA in brain tissue, and for the study of therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Matalon
- Research Institute, Miami Children's Hospital, Fl 33155-3009, USA
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