1
|
Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A murine model of post-acute neurological sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 variant infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384516. [PMID: 38765009 PMCID: PMC11099216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. In the brain, no detectable viral RNA and minimal residential immune cell activation was observed in the surviving mice post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and gene expression levels associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent systemic T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and strong sera neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants months post-acute infection. Overall, our findings suggest that infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long-COVID patients and provides new insights into the role of systemic and brain residential immune factors in PASC pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Awadalkareem Adam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Aditi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Xiaoying Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Vikram V. Kulkarni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Peter Kan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Parimal Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Irma Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu M, Xue J, Cao Y, Hao Z, Wang Y, Li J, Jiang T, Shi J. The effects of Nardosinone on levodopa intervention in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116448. [PMID: 38522241 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. are reported to be useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous research has also shown that Nardosinone, the main active component isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi DC., exhibits the potential to treat PD. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate how the effects of Nardosinone could assist levodopa in the treatment of PD, how this process changes the intestinal flora, and to explore the effective forms of Nardosinone in the intestinal flora. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used behavioral experiments, and hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, to investigate the effects of a combination of Nardosinone and levodopa on rotenone-induced PD rats. In addition, we used LC/MS-MS to determine the levels of levodopa, 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and its metabolite 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid, to investigate the effect of the intestinal flora on co-administration in the treatment of PD. LC/MS-MS was also used to detect the metabolites of Nardosinone on the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal flora. RESULTS The behavioral disorders and neuronal damage associated with PD were significantly improved following the co-administration. Analysis also revealed that the co-administration increased the levels of five neurotransmitters in the striatum, plasma and feces. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that the levels of dopamine and levodopa were increased in the intestinal flora. In total, five metabolites of Nardosinone were identified. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Nardosinone and its metabolites might act as a potential adjutant to enhance the efficacy of levodopa via the intestinal flora, thus expanding the therapeutic potential of the combination of Chinese and Western medicine as a treatment method for PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwen Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxin Cao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Hao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayuan Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tingyue Jiang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinli Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Salemi M, Ravo M, Lanza G, Schillaci FA, Ventola GM, Marchese G, Salluzzo MG, Cappelletti G, Ferri R. Gene Expression Profiling of Post Mortem Midbrain of Parkinson's Disease Patients and Healthy Controls. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:707. [PMID: 38255780 PMCID: PMC10815072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020707] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) stands as the most prevalent degenerative movement disorder, marked by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome analysis utilizing post mortem mRNA extracted from the substantia nigra of both PD patients and healthy control (CTRL) individuals. Specifically, we acquired eight samples from individuals with PD and six samples from CTRL individuals, with no discernible pathology detected in the latter group. RNA sequencing was conducted using the TapeStation 4200 system from Agilent Technologies. A total of 16,148 transcripts were identified, with 92 mRNAs displaying differential expression between the PD and control groups. Specifically, 33 mRNAs were significantly up-regulated, while 59 mRNAs were down-regulated in PD compared to the controls. The identification of statistically significant signaling pathways, with an adjusted p-value threshold of 0.05, unveiled noteworthy insights. Specifically, the enriched categories included cardiac muscle contraction (involving genes such as ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 2 (ATP1B2), solute carrier family 8 member A1 (SLC8A1), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX2)), GABAergic synapse (involving GABA type A receptor-associated protein-like 1 (GABARAPL1), G protein subunit beta 5 (GNB5), and solute carrier family 38 member 2 (SLC38A2), autophagy (involving GABARAPL1 and tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 2 (TP53INP2)), and Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) mediated phagocytosis (involving amphiphysin (AMPH)). These findings uncover new pathophysiological dimensions underlying PD, implicating genes associated with heart muscle contraction. This knowledge enhances diagnostic accuracy and contributes to the advancement of targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Salemi
- Oasi Research Institute–IRCCS, 94018 Troin, Italy; (G.L.); (F.A.S.); (M.G.S.); (R.F.)
| | - Maria Ravo
- Genomix4Life Srl, 94081 Baroniss, Italy; (M.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
- Genome Research Center for Health–CRGS, 94081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Oasi Research Institute–IRCCS, 94018 Troin, Italy; (G.L.); (F.A.S.); (M.G.S.); (R.F.)
- Department of Surgery and Medical–Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Maria Ventola
- Genomix4Life Srl, 94081 Baroniss, Italy; (M.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
- Genome Research Center for Health–CRGS, 94081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marchese
- Genomix4Life Srl, 94081 Baroniss, Italy; (M.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
- Genome Research Center for Health–CRGS, 94081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Salluzzo
- Oasi Research Institute–IRCCS, 94018 Troin, Italy; (G.L.); (F.A.S.); (M.G.S.); (R.F.)
| | | | - Raffaele Ferri
- Oasi Research Institute–IRCCS, 94018 Troin, Italy; (G.L.); (F.A.S.); (M.G.S.); (R.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A Murine Model of Post-acute Neurological Sequelae Following SARS-CoV-2 Variant Infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574064. [PMID: 38260531 PMCID: PMC10802283 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. Surviving mice showed no detectable viral RNA in the brain and minimal neuroinflammation post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and reduced levels of genes associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and high neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants in the periphery for months post-acute infection. Overall, infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long COVID patients and may be useful for future assessment of the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fukuyama Y, Kubo M, Harada K. Neurotrophic Natural Products. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 123:1-473. [PMID: 38340248 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42422-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) can decrease cell death, induce differentiation, as well as sustain the structure and function of neurons, which make them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, neurotrophins have not been very effective in clinical trials mostly because they cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier owing to being high-molecular-weight proteins. Thus, neurotrophin-mimic small molecules, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic actions, may serve as promising alternatives to neurotrophins. Small-molecular-weight natural products, which have been used in dietary functional foods or in traditional medicines over the course of human history, have a great potential for the development of new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this contribution, a variety of natural products possessing neurotrophic properties such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth promotion (neuritogenesis), and neuroprotection are described, and a focus is made on the chemistry and biology of several neurotrophic natural products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyasu Fukuyama
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Miwa Kubo
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li J, Yu J, Guo J, Liu J, Wan G, Wei X, Yang X, Shi J. Nardostachys jatamansi and levodopa combination alleviates Parkinson's disease symptoms in rats through activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NLRP3 signaling pathways. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 61:1175-1185. [PMID: 37559448 PMCID: PMC10416743 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2244176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Levodopa combined with traditional Chinese medicine has a synergistic effect on Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, we demonstrated that Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. [syn. Patrinia jatamansi D.Don, N. grandiflora DC.] (Valerianaceae) (NJ) can alleviate PD. OBJECTIVE To explore the synergistic effect of NJ combined with levodopa against PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PD model was established by injecting rotenone. Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: sham, model, different doses of NJ (0.31, 0.62, or 1.24 g/kg) combined with levodopa (25 mg/kg), and levodopa alone (25 and 50 mg/kg) groups. The synergistic effect of the combination was investigated by pharmacodynamic investigation and detection of expression of nuclear factor erythro2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NLR family proteins containing Pyrin-related domain 3 (NLRP3) pathways. RESULTS Compared with the model group, NJ + levodopa (1.24 g/kg + 25 mg/kg) increased the moving distance of PD rats in the open field (2395.34 ± 668.73 vs. 1501.41 ± 870.23, p < 0.01), enhanced the stay time on the rotating rod (84.86 ± 18.15 vs. 71.36 ± 17.53, p < 0.01) and the combination was superior to other treatments. The synergistic effects were related to NJ + levodopa (1.24 g/kg + 25 mg/kg) increasing the neurotransmitter levels by 38.80%-88.67% in PD rats, and inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 pathway by activating Nrf2 pathway. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS NJ combined with levodopa is a promising therapeutic candidate for PD, which provides a scientific basis for the subsequent clinical combination therapy of levodopa to enhance the anti-PD effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahe Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyou Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinfeng Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guohui Wan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojia Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinli Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|