1
|
Wei Y, Zhong S, Yang H, Wang X, Lv B, Bian Y, Pei Y, Xu C, Zhao Q, Wu Y, Luo D, Wang F, Sun H, Chen Y. Current therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A review on past and future therapeutic strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116496. [PMID: 38759454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116496] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the first and second motoneurons (MNs), associated with muscle weakness, paralysis and finally death. The exact etiology of the disease still remains unclear. Currently, efforts to develop novel ALS treatments which target specific pathomechanisms are being studied. The mechanisms of ALS pathogenesis involve multiple factors, such as protein aggregation, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, inflammation etc. Unfortunately, to date, there are only two FDA-approved drugs for ALS, riluzole and edavarone, without curative treatment for ALS. Herein, we give an overview of the many pathways and review the recent discovery and preclinical characterization of neuroprotective compounds. Meanwhile, drug combination and other therapeutic approaches are also reviewed. In the last part, we analyze the reasons of clinical failure and propose perspective on the treatment of ALS in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Huajing Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bingbing Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yaoyao Bian
- Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Center of TCM External Medication Researching and Industrializing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuqiong Pei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chunlei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yulan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Daying Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yuan Y, Bailey JM, Rivera-Lopez GM, Atchison WD. Preferential potentiation of AMPA-mediated currents in brainstem hypoglossal motoneurons by subchronic exposure of mice expressing the human superoxide dismutase 1 G93A gene mutation to neurotoxicant methylmercury in vivo. Neurotoxicology 2024; 100:72-84. [PMID: 38065418 PMCID: PMC10877233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The exact causes of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurological disorder due to loss of upper and/or lower motoneurons, remain elusive. Gene-environment interactions are believed to be an important factor in the development of ALS. We previously showed that in vivo exposure of mice overexpressing the human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) gene mutation (hSOD1G93A; G93A), a mouse model for ALS, to environmental neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg) accelerated the onset of ALS-like phenotype. Here we examined the time-course of effects of MeHg on AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated currents in hypoglossal motoneurons in brainstem slices prepared from G93A, hSOD1wild-type (hWT) and non-carrier WT mice following in vivo exposure to MeHg. Mice were exposed daily to 3 ppm (approximately 0.7 mg/kg/day) MeHg via drinking water beginning at postnatal day 28 (P28) and continued until P47, 64 or 84, then acute brainstem slices were prepared, and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) or AMPA-evoked currents were examined using whole cell patch-clamp recording technique. Brainstem slices of untreated littermates were prepared at the same time points to serve as control. MeHg exposure had no significant effect on either sEPSCs or AMPA-evoked currents in slices from hWT or WT mice during any of those exposure time periods under our experimental conditions. MeHg also did not cause any significant effect on sEPSCs or AMPA-currents in G93A hypoglossal motoneurons at P47 and P64. However, at P84, MeHg significantly increased amplitudes of both sEPSCs and AMPA-evoked currents in hypoglossal motineurons from G93A mice (p < 0.05), but not the sEPSC frequency, suggesting a postsynaptic action on AMPARs. MeHg exposure did not cause any significant effect on GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Therefore, MeHg exposure in vivo caused differential effects on AMPARs in hypoglossal motoneurons from mice with different genetic backgrounds. MeHg appears to preferentially stimulate the AMPAR-mediated currents in G93A hypoglossal motoneurons in an exposure time-dependent manner, which may contribute to the AMPAR-mediated motoneuron excitotoxicity, thereby facilitating development of ALS-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA.
| | - Jordan M Bailey
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
| | - Gretchen M Rivera-Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
| | - William D Atchison
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vukolova MN, Yen LY, Khmyz MI, Sobolevsky AI, Yelshanskaya MV. Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-emerging role of AMPA and kainate subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1252953. [PMID: 38033869 PMCID: PMC10683763 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1252953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate the majority of excitatory neurotransmission and are implicated in various neurological disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of the two fastest iGluRs subtypes, namely, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors, in the pathogenesis and treatment of Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although both AMPA and kainate receptors represent promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of these diseases, many of their antagonists show adverse side effects. Further studies of factors affecting the selective subunit expression and trafficking of AMPA and kainate receptors, and a reasonable approach to their regulation by the recently identified novel compounds remain promising directions for pharmacological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina N. Vukolova
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Laura Y. Yen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Graduate Program, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Margarita I. Khmyz
- N. V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander I. Sobolevsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria V. Yelshanskaya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Meszlényi V, Patai R, Polgár TF, Nógrádi B, Körmöczy L, Kristóf R, Spisák K, Tripolszki K, Széll M, Obál I, Engelhardt JI, Siklós L. Passive Transfer of Sera from ALS Patients with Identified Mutations Evokes an Increased Synaptic Vesicle Number and Elevation of Calcium Levels in Motor Axon Terminals, Similar to Sera from Sporadic Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155566. [PMID: 32756522 PMCID: PMC7432249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated increased calcium levels and synaptic vesicle densities in the motor axon terminals (MATs) of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Such alterations could be conferred to mice with an intraperitoneal injection of sera from these patients or with purified immunoglobulin G. Later, we confirmed the presence of similar alterations in the superoxide dismutase 1 G93A transgenic mouse strain model of familial ALS. These consistent observations suggested that calcium plays a central role in the pathomechanism of ALS. This may be further reinforced by completing a similar analytical study of the MATs of ALS patients with identified mutations. However, due to the low yield of muscle biopsy samples containing MATs, and the low incidence of ALS patients with the identified mutations, these examinations are not technically feasible. Alternatively, a passive transfer of sera from ALS patients with known mutations was used, and the MATs of the inoculated mice were tested for alterations in their calcium homeostasis and synaptic activity. Patients with 11 different ALS-related mutations participated in the study. Intraperitoneal injection of sera from these patients on two consecutive days resulted in elevated intracellular calcium levels and increased vesicle densities in the MATs of mice, which is comparable to the effect of the passive transfer from sporadic patients. Our results support the idea that the pathomechanism underlying the identical manifestation of the disease with or without identified mutations is based on a common final pathway, in which increasing calcium levels play a central role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Meszlényi
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
- Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged, Szeged Scientists Academy, 15 Lechner tér, H-6721 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Roland Patai
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Tamás F. Polgár
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Bernát Nógrádi
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
- Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged, Szeged Scientists Academy, 15 Lechner tér, H-6721 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Laura Körmöczy
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Rebeka Kristóf
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Krisztina Spisák
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Kornélia Tripolszki
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Szeged, 4/B Szőkefalvi-Nagy Béla u., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (K.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Márta Széll
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Szeged, 4/B Szőkefalvi-Nagy Béla u., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (K.T.); (M.S.)
- Dermatological Research Group, University of Szeged, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 4/B Szőkefalvi-Nagy Béla u., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Izabella Obál
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, 15 Skovvej Sdr., DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis u., H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - József I. Engelhardt
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis u., H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - László Siklós
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, 62 Temesvári krt., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (V.M.); (R.P.); (T.F.P.); (B.N.); (L.K.); (R.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-62-599-611
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Obál I, Nógrádi B, Meszlényi V, Patai R, Ricken G, Kovacs GG, Tripolszki K, Széll M, Siklós L, Engelhardt JI. Experimental Motor Neuron Disease Induced in Mice with Long-Term Repeated Intraperitoneal Injections of Serum from ALS Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102573. [PMID: 31130623 PMCID: PMC6566871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In an earlier study, signs of commencing degeneration of spinal motor neurons were induced in mice with short-term intraperitoneal injections of immunoglobulin G (IgG) taken from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since in that study, neither weakness nor loss of motor neurons was noted, to test whether the ALS IgG in this paradigm has the potential to evoke relentless degeneration of motor neurons, treatment with repeated injections over a longer period was carried out. Mice were systematically injected intraperitoneally with serum taken from ALS patients over a 75-day period. At selected time points, the isometric force of the limbs, number of spinal motor neurons and their intracellular calcium levels were determined. Furthermore, markers of glial activation and the motoneuronal uptake of human IgG were monitored. During this period, gliosis and progressive motoneuronal degeneration developed, which led to gradual loss of spinal motor neurons, more than 40% at day 21, along with decreasing muscle strength in the limbs. The inclusion-like accumulation of IgG appeared in the perikarya with the increase of intracellular calcium in the cell bodies and motor nerve terminals. Our results demonstrate that ALS serum can transfer motor neuron disease to mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Obál
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary.
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Bernát Nógrádi
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary.
- Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged, Szeged Scientist Academy, H-6721 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Valéria Meszlényi
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary.
- Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged, Szeged Scientist Academy, H-6721 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Roland Patai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Gerda Ricken
- Clinical Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Clinical Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
| | - Kornélia Tripolszki
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Márta Széll
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences - University of Szeged, Dermatological Research Group, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - László Siklós
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Oggiano R, Solinas G, Forte G, Bocca B, Farace C, Pisano A, Sotgiu MA, Clemente S, Malaguarnera M, Fois AG, Pirina P, Montella A, Madeddu R. Trace elements in ALS patients and their relationships with clinical severity. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 197:457-466. [PMID: 29366958 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An exploratory study of trace elements in ALS and their relationships with clinical severity was detected. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes irreversible damage in humans, with the consequent loss of function of motoneurons (MNs), with a prognosis up to 5 years after diagnosis. Except to genetic rare cases it is not known the etiology of the disorder. Aim of our research is to investigate the possible role of heavy metals in the severity of the disease. In this study, by the use of plasma mass (ICP-MS), we have analyzed the content of essential and heavy metals such: Pb, Cd, Al, Hg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mg, and Ca, in blood, urine and hair of ALS patients and controls; moreover we divided the patients in two groups for disease severity and analyzed the difference among the groups, in order to study a possible involvement of metals in the severity of the damage. Our results suggest a protective role of Selenium, involved in protective antioxidant mechanisms, and a risk factor in the case of presence of Lead in blood. The levels of the other metals are not easy to interpret, because these may be due to life style and for essential metals a consequence of the disease condition, not a cause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Oggiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuliana Solinas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Hygiene, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Forte
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano Farace
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Pisano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Malaguarnera
- Department of Medical and Pediatric Science, Research Centre "The Great Senescence", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuseppe Fois
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pietro Pirina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences- Human Anatomy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Madeddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|