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Di Fiore V, Cappelli F, Del Punta L, De Biase N, Armenia S, Maremmani D, Lomonaco T, Biagini D, Lenzi A, Mazzola M, Tricò D, Masi S, Mengozzi A, Pugliese NR. Novel Techniques, Biomarkers and Molecular Targets to Address Cardiometabolic Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2883. [PMID: 38792427 PMCID: PMC11122330 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are interrelated and multifactorial conditions, including arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Due to the burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with CMDs' increasing prevalence, there is a critical need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in their management. In clinical practice, innovative methods such as epicardial adipose tissue evaluation, ventricular-arterial coupling, and exercise tolerance studies could help to elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms associated with CMDs. Similarly, epigenetic changes involving noncoding RNAs, chromatin modulation, and cellular senescence could represent both novel biomarkers and targets for CMDs. Despite the promising data available, significant challenges remain in translating basic research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex pathophysiology underlying CMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Di Fiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Federica Cappelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Lavinia Del Punta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Nicolò De Biase
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Silvia Armenia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Davide Maremmani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Tommaso Lomonaco
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.)
| | - Denise Biagini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.)
| | - Alessio Lenzi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.)
| | - Matteo Mazzola
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Tricò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
| | - Nicola Riccardo Pugliese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56124 Pisa, Italy (F.C.)
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2
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Rosenthal ZC, Fass DM, Payne NC, She A, Patnaik D, Hennig KM, Tesla R, Werthmann GC, Guhl C, Reis SA, Wang X, Chen Y, Placzek M, Williams NS, Hooker J, Herz J, Mazitschek R, Haggarty SJ. Epigenetic modulation through BET bromodomain inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy for progranulin-deficient frontotemporal dementia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9064. [PMID: 38643236 PMCID: PMC11032351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59110-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder with currently no disease-modifying treatment options available. Mutations in GRN are one of the most common genetic causes of FTD, near ubiquitously resulting in progranulin (PGRN) haploinsufficiency. Small molecules that can restore PGRN protein to healthy levels in individuals bearing a heterozygous GRN mutation may thus have therapeutic value. Here, we show that epigenetic modulation through bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitors (BETi) potently enhance PGRN protein levels, both intracellularly and secreted forms, in human central nervous system (CNS)-relevant cell types, including in microglia-like cells. In terms of potential for disease modification, we show BETi treatment effectively restores PGRN levels in neural cells with a GRN mutation known to cause PGRN haploinsufficiency and FTD. We demonstrate that BETi can rapidly and durably enhance PGRN in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a manner dependent upon BET protein expression, suggesting a gain-of-function mechanism. We further describe a CNS-optimized BETi chemotype that potently engages endogenous BRD4 and enhances PGRN expression in neuronal cells. Our results reveal a new epigenetic target for treating PGRN-deficient forms of FTD and provide mechanistic insight to aid in translating this discovery into therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary C Rosenthal
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel M Fass
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela She
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debasis Patnaik
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krista M Hennig
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Tesla
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gordon C Werthmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Charlotte Guhl
- Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Surya A Reis
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yueting Chen
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Placzek
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacob Hooker
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joachim Herz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Precision Therapeutics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Sun G, Liu C, Song C, Geng X, Chi K, Fu Z, Hong Q, Wu D. Knowledge mapping of UMOD of English published work from 1985 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis. Int Urol Nephrol 2024; 56:249-261. [PMID: 37322316 PMCID: PMC10776727 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-023-03664-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND UMOD is exclusively produced by renal epithelial cells. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) suggested that common variants in UMOD gene are closely connected with the risk of CKD. However, a comprehensive and objective report on the current status of UMOD research is lacking. Therefore, we aim to conduct a bibliometric analysis to quantify and identify the status quo and trending issues of UMOD research in the past. METHODS We collected data from the Web of Science Core Collection database and used the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology, the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology and Microsoft Excel 2019 to perform bibliometricanalysis and visualization. RESULTS Based on the data from the WoSCC database from 1985 to 2022, a total of 353 UMOD articles were published in 193 academic journals by 2346 authors from 50 different countries/regions and 396 institutions. The United States published the most papers. Professor Devuyst O from University of Zurich not only published the greatest number of UMOD-related papers but also is among the top 10 co-cited authors. KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL published the most necroptosis studies, and it was also the most cited journal. High-frequency keywords mainly included 'chronic kidney disease', 'Tamm Horsfall protein' and 'mutation'. CONCLUSIONS The number of UMOD-related articles has steadily increased over the past decades Current UMOD studies focused on Biological relevance of the UMOD to kidney function and potential applications in the risk of CKD mechanisms, these might provide ideas for further research in the UMOD field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Sun
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chengcheng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiaodong Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Kun Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zhangning Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Di Wu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
- Department of Nephrology, Beijing Electric Power Hospital, Beijing, 100073, China.
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4
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Sarsons CD, Gilham D, Tsujikawa LM, Wasiak S, Fu L, Rakai BD, Stotz SC, Carestia A, Sweeney M, Kulikowski E. Apabetalone, a Clinical-Stage, Selective BET Inhibitor, Opposes DUX4 Target Gene Expression in Primary Human FSHD Muscle Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2683. [PMID: 37893058 PMCID: PMC10604783 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is a muscle disease caused by inappropriate expression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene in skeletal muscle, and its downstream activation of pro-apoptotic transcriptional programs. Inhibitors of DUX4 expression have the potential to treat FSHD. Apabetalone is a clinical-stage bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor, selective for the second bromodomain on BET proteins. Using primary human skeletal muscle cells from FSHD type 1 patients, we evaluated apabetalone for its ability to counter DUX4's deleterious effects and compared it with the pan-BET inhibitor JQ1, and the p38 MAPK inhibitor-and DUX4 transcriptional repressor-losmapimod. We applied RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to detect treatment-associated impacts on the transcriptome of these cells. Apabetalone inhibited the expression of DUX4 downstream markers, reversing hallmarks of FSHD gene expression in differentiated muscle cells. JQ1, but not apabetalone, was found to induce apoptosis. While both BET inhibitors modestly impacted differentiation marker expression, they did not affect myotube fusion. Losmapimod also reduced expression of DUX4 target genes but differed in its impact on FSHD-associated pathways. These findings demonstrate that apabetalone inhibits DUX4 target gene expression and reverses transcriptional programs that contribute to FSHD pathology, making this drug a promising candidate therapeutic for FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dean Gilham
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Laura M. Tsujikawa
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Sylwia Wasiak
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Li Fu
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Brooke D. Rakai
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Stephanie C. Stotz
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Agostina Carestia
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Michael Sweeney
- Resverlogix Corp., 535 Mission St., 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | - Ewelina Kulikowski
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
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5
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Kim JH, Pandit N, Yoo M, Park TH, Choi JU, Park CH, Jung KY, Lee BI. Crystal structure of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives as BRD4 bromodomain inhibitors and structure-activity relationship study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10805. [PMID: 37402749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37527-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BRD4 contains two tandem bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) that recognize acetylated lysine for epigenetic reading, and these bromodomains are promising therapeutic targets for treating various diseases, including cancers. BRD4 is a well-studied target, and many chemical scaffolds for inhibitors have been developed. Research on the development of BRD4 inhibitors against various diseases is actively being conducted. Herein, we propose a series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives as bromodomain inhibitors with micromolar IC50 values. We characterized the binding modes by determining the crystal structures of BD1 in complex with four selected inhibitors. Compounds containing [1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives offer promising starting molecules for designing potent BRD4 BD inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hoon Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Navin Pandit
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Miyoun Yoo
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Ji U Choi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi Hoon Park
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kwan-Young Jung
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung Il Lee
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Gilham D, Wasiak S, Rakai BD, Fu L, Tsujikawa LM, Sarsons CD, Carestia A, Lebioda K, Johansson JO, Sweeney M, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kulikowski E. Apabetalone Downregulates Fibrotic, Inflammatory and Calcific Processes in Renal Mesangial Cells and Patients with Renal Impairment. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1663. [PMID: 37371758 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are implicated in transcriptional programs driving chronic kidney disease (CKD). Apabetalone is an orally available inhibitor of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins, which are epigenetic readers that modulate gene expression. In the phase 3 BETonMACE trial, apabetalone reduced risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) by 50% in the CKD subpopulation, indicating favorable effects along the kidney-heart axis. Activation of human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs) to a contractile phenotype that overproduces extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammatory cytokines, and promotes calcification, frequently accompanies CKD to drive pathology. Here, we show apabetalone downregulated HRMC activation with TGF-β1 stimulation by suppressing TGF-β1-induced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, α-SMA assembly into stress fibers, enhanced contraction, collagen overproduction, and expression of key drivers of fibrosis, inflammation, or calcification including thrombospondin, fibronectin, periostin, SPARC, interleukin 6, and alkaline phosphatase. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expression of inflammatory genes IL6, IL1B, and PTGS2 was also suppressed. Transcriptomics confirmed apabetalone affected gene sets of ECM remodeling and integrins. Clinical translation of in vitro results was indicated in CKD patients where a single dose of apabetalone reduced plasma levels of key pro-fibrotic and inflammatory markers, and indicated inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling. While plasma proteins cannot be traced to the kidney alone, anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of apabetalone identified in this study are consistent with the observed decrease in cardiovascular risk in CKD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Gilham
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Sylwia Wasiak
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Brooke D Rakai
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Li Fu
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Laura M Tsujikawa
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | | | - Agostina Carestia
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Kenneth Lebioda
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Jan O Johansson
- Resverlogix Inc., 535 Mission St, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | - Michael Sweeney
- Resverlogix Inc., 535 Mission St, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | - Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, 1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Ewelina Kulikowski
- Resverlogix Corp., 300, 4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6L1, Canada
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7
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Tiukacheva EA, Ulianov SV, Karpukhina A, Razin SV, Vassetzky Y. 3D genome alterations and editing in pathology. Mol Ther 2023; 31:924-933. [PMID: 36755493 PMCID: PMC10124079 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.005] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human genome is folded into a multi-level 3D structure that controls many nuclear functions including gene expression. Recently, alterations in 3D genome organization were associated with several genetic diseases and cancer. As a consequence, experimental approaches are now being developed to modify the global 3D genome organization and that of specific loci. Here, we discuss emerging experimental approaches of 3D genome editing that may prove useful in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia A Tiukacheva
- CNRS UMR9018, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Institute of Gene Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow 141700, Russia; Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia; Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Sergey V Ulianov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia; Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Anna Karpukhina
- CNRS UMR9018, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Sergey V Razin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia; Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Yegor Vassetzky
- CNRS UMR9018, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Moscow 119334, Russia.
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8
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Dual mechanism: Epigenetic inhibitor apabetalone reduces SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variant spike binding and attenuates SARS-CoV-2 RNA induced inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109929. [PMID: 36857935 PMCID: PMC9946890 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109929] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus initiates infection via interactions between the viral spike protein and the ACE2 receptors on host cells. Variants of concern have mutations in the spike protein that enhance ACE2 binding affinity, leading to increased virulence and transmission. Viral RNAs released after entry into host cells trigger interferon-I (IFN-I) mediated inflammatory responses for viral clearance and resolution of infection. However, overreactive host IFN-I responses and pro-inflammatory signals drive COVID-19 pathophysiology and disease severity during acute infection. These immune abnormalities also lead to the development of post-COVID syndrome if persistent. Novel therapeutics are urgently required to reduce short- and long-term pathologic consequences associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Apabetalone, an inhibitor of epigenetic regulators of the BET protein family, is a candidate for COVID-19 treatment via a dual mechanism of action. In vitro, apabetalone downregulates ACE2 gene expression to limit SARS-CoV-2 entry and propagation. In pre-clinical models and patients treated for cardiovascular disease, apabetalone inhibits expression of inflammatory mediators involved in the pathologic cytokine storm (CS) stimulated by various cytokines. Here we show apabetalone treatment of human lung epithelial cells reduces binding of viral spike protein regardless of mutations found in the highly contagious Delta variant and heavily mutated Omicron. Additionally, we demonstrate that apabetalone counters expression of pro-inflammatory factors with roles in CS and IFN-I signaling in lung cells stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our results support clinical evaluation of apabetalone to treat COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome regardless of the SARS-CoV-2 variant.
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9
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Kraus L, Beavens B. The Current Therapeutic Role of Chromatin Remodeling for the Prognosis and Treatment of Heart Failure. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020579. [PMID: 36831115 PMCID: PMC9953583 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020579] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death globally, with no cure to date. Many interventions have been studied and suggested, of which epigenetics and chromatin remodeling have been the most promising. Over the last decade, major advancements have been made in the field of chromatin remodeling, particularly for the treatment of heart failure, because of innovations in bioinformatics and gene therapy. Specifically, understanding changes to the chromatin architecture have been shown to alter cardiac disease progression via variations in genomic sequencing, targeting cardiac genes, using RNA molecules, and utilizing chromatin remodeler complexes. By understanding these chromatin remodeling mechanisms in an injured heart, treatments for heart failure have been suggested through individualized pharmaceutical interventions as well as biomarkers for major disease states. By understanding the current roles of chromatin remodeling in heart failure, a potential therapeutic approach may be discovered in the future.
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10
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Wasiak S, Tsujikawa LM, Daze E, Gilham D, Stotz SC, Rakai BD, Sarsons CD, Fu L, Azhar S, Jahagirdar R, Sweeney M, Johansson JO, Wong NCW, Kulikowski E. Epigenetic BET reader inhibitor apabetalone (RVX-208) counters proinflammatory aortic gene expression in a diet induced obesity mouse model and in human endothelial cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 364:10-19. [PMID: 36455344 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Obese patients are at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A lipid-rich diet promotes arterial changes by inducing hypertension, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins contribute to endothelial and immune cell activation in vitro and in atherosclerosis mouse models. We aim to determine if BET inhibition can reduce lipid-rich diet-induced vascular inflammation in mice. METHODS Body weight, serum glucose and lipid levels were measured in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) for 6 weeks and at study termination. BET inhibitors apabetalone and JQ1 were co-administered with the HFD for additional 16 weeks. Aortic gene expression was analyzed post necropsy by PCR, Nanostring nCounter® Inflammation Panel and bioinformatics pathway analysis. Transcription changes and BRD4 chromatin occupancy were analyzed in primary human endothelial cells in response to TNFα and apabetalone. RESULTS HFD induced weight gain, visceral obesity, high fasting blood glucose, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance compared to LFD controls. HFD upregulated the aortic expression of 47 genes involved in inflammation, innate immunity, cytoskeleton and complement pathways. Apabetalone and JQ1 treatment reduced HFD-induced aortic expression of proinflammatory genes. Congruently, bioinformatics predicted enhanced signaling by TNFα in the HFD versus LFD aorta, which was countered by BETi treatment. TNFα-stimulated human endothelial cells had increased expression of HFD-sensitive genes and higher BRD4 chromatin occupancy, which was countered by apabetalone treatment. CONCLUSIONS HFD induces vascular inflammation in mice through TNFα signaling. Apabetalone treatment reduces this proinflammatory phenotype, providing mechanistic insight into how BET inhibitors may reduce CVD risk in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Wasiak
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Laura M Tsujikawa
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Emily Daze
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Dean Gilham
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Stephanie C Stotz
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Brooke D Rakai
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Chris D Sarsons
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Li Fu
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Salman Azhar
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Ravi Jahagirdar
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Michael Sweeney
- Resverlogix Inc., 535 Mission St, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94105
| | - Jan O Johansson
- Resverlogix Inc., 535 Mission St, 14th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94105
| | - Norman C W Wong
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada
| | - Ewelina Kulikowski
- Resverlogix Corp., 300-4820 Richard Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1, Canada.
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