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Corvino A, Caliendo G, Fiorino F, Frecentese F, Valsecchi V, Lombardi G, Anzilotti S, Andreozzi G, Scognamiglio A, Sparaco R, Perissutti E, Severino B, Gargiulo M, Santagada V, Pignataro G. Newly Synthesized Indolylacetic Derivatives Reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Prolong Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1996-2005. [PMID: 39022351 PMCID: PMC11249635 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00098] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The debilitating neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain, spinal cord, and motor cortex. The ALS neuroinflammatory component is being characterized and includes the overexpression of mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Currently, there are no effective treatments for ALS. Indeed, riluzole, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor blocker, and edaravone, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, are currently the sole two medications approved for ALS treatment. However, their efficacy in extending life expectancy typically amounts to only a few months. In order to improve the medicaments for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, preferably ALS, novel substituted 2-methyl-3-indolylacetic derivatives (compounds II-IV) were developed by combining the essential parts of two small molecules, namely, the opioids containing a 4-piperidinyl ring with indomethacin, previously shown to be efficacious in different experimental models of neuroinflammation. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their potential capability of slowing down neurodegeneration associated with ALS progression in preclinical models of the disease in vitro and in vivo. Notably, we produced data to demonstrate that the treatment with the newly synthesized compound III: (1) prevented the upregulation of TNF-α observed in BV-2 microglial cells exposed to the toxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS), (2) preserved SHSY-5Y cell survival exposed to β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (L-BMAA) neurotoxin, and (3) mitigated motor symptoms and improved survival rate of SOD1G93A ALS mice. In conclusion, the findings of the present work support the potential of the synthesized indolylacetic derivatives II-IV in ALS treatment. Indeed, in the attempt to realize an association between two active molecules, we assumed that the combination of the indispensable moieties of two small molecules (the opioids containing a 4-piperidinyl ring with the FANS indomethacin) might lead to new medicaments potentially useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corvino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caliendo
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fiorino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Frecentese
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Valeria Valsecchi
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Serenella Anzilotti
- Department
of Science and Technology, University of
Sannio, 82100Benevento, Italy
| | - Giorgia Andreozzi
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonia Scognamiglio
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Rosa Sparaco
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Elisa Perissutti
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Beatrice Severino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Michele Gargiulo
- Miuli
Pharma S.r.l., via Circumvallazione, Nola 310 80035, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Santagada
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
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Min JH, Sarlus H, Harris RA. Copper toxicity and deficiency: the vicious cycle at the core of protein aggregation in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1408159. [PMID: 39050823 PMCID: PMC11267976 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1408159] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of ALS involves many signs of a disruption in copper homeostasis, with both excess free levels and functional deficiency likely occurring simultaneously. This is crucial, as many important physiological functions are performed by cuproenzymes. While it is unsurprising that many ALS symptoms are related to signs of copper deficiency, resulting in vascular, antioxidant system and mitochondrial oxidative respiration deficiencies, there are also signs of copper toxicity such as ROS generation and enhanced protein aggregation. We discuss how copper also plays a key role in proteostasis and interacts either directly or indirectly with many of the key aggregate-prone proteins implicated in ALS, such as TDP-43, C9ORF72, SOD1 and FUS as well as the effect of their aggregation on copper homeostasis. We suggest that loss of cuproprotein function is at the core of ALS pathology, a condition that is driven by a combination of unbound copper and ROS that can either initiate and/or accelerate protein aggregation. This could trigger a positive feedback cycle whereby protein aggregates trigger the aggregation of other proteins in a chain reaction that eventually captures elements of the proteostatic mechanisms in place to counteract them. The end result is an abundance of aggregated non-functional cuproproteins and chaperones alongside depleted intracellular copper stores, resulting in a general lack of cuproenzyme function. We then discuss the possible aetiology of ALS and illustrate how strong risk factors including environmental toxins such as BMAA and heavy metals can functionally behave to promote protein aggregation and disturb copper metabolism that likely drives this vicious cycle in sporadic ALS. From this synthesis, we propose restoration of copper balance using copper delivery agents in combination with chaperones/chaperone mimetics, perhaps in conjunction with the neuroprotective amino acid serine, as a promising strategy in the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hong Min
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital at Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sini P, Galleri G, Ciampelli C, Galioto M, Padedda BM, Lugliè A, Iaccarino C, Crosio C. Evaluation of cyanotoxin L-BMAA effect on α-synuclein and TDP43 proteinopathy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360068. [PMID: 38596666 PMCID: PMC11002123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360068] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors is considered the cause of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Among the environmental factors, toxins produced by cyanobacteria have received much attention due to the significant increase in cyanobacteria growth worldwide. In particular, L-BMAA toxin, produced by diverse taxa of cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and diatoms, has been extensively correlated to neurodegeneration. The molecular mechanism of L-BMAA neurotoxicity is still cryptic and far from being understood. In this research article, we have investigated the molecular pathways altered by L-BMAA exposure in cell systems, highlighting a significant increase in specific stress pathways and an impairment in autophagic processes. Interestingly, these changes lead to the accumulation of both α-synuclein and TDP43, which are correlated with PD and ALS proteinopathy, respectively. Finally, we were able to demonstrate specific alterations of TDP43 WT or pathological mutants with respect to protein accumulation, aggregation and cytoplasmic translocation, some of the typical features of both sporadic and familial ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sini
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Grazia Galleri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Cristina Ciampelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Manuela Galioto
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Bachisio Mario Padedda
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonella Lugliè
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ciro Iaccarino
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Crosio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Scarcella M, Scerra G, Ciampa M, Caterino M, Costanzo M, Rinaldi L, Feliciello A, Anzilotti S, Fiorentino C, Renna M, Ruoppolo M, Pavone LM, D’Agostino M, De Pasquale V. Metabolic rewiring and autophagy inhibition correct lysosomal storage disease in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB. iScience 2024; 27:108959. [PMID: 38361619 PMCID: PMC10864807 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108959] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are lysosomal disorders with neurological involvement for which no cure exists. Here, we show that recombinant NK1 fragment of hepatocyte growth factor rescues substrate accumulation and lysosomal defects in MPS I, IIIA and IIIB patient fibroblasts. We investigated PI3K/Akt pathway, which is of crucial importance for neuronal function and survival, and demonstrate that PI3K inhibition abolishes NK1 therapeutic effects. We identified that autophagy inhibition, by Beclin1 silencing, reduces MPS IIIB phenotype and that NK1 downregulates autophagic-lysosome (ALP) gene expression, suggesting a possible contribution of autophagosome biogenesis in MPS. Indeed, metabolomic analyses revealed defects of mitochondrial activity accompanied by anaerobic metabolism and inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which acts on metabolism and autophagy, rescues lysosomal defects. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of MPS IIIB physiopathology, supporting the development of new promising approaches based on autophagy inhibition and metabolic rewiring to correct lysosomal pathology in MPSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Scarcella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Scerra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariangela Ciampa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Caterino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Serenella Anzilotti
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via F. de Sanctis, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorentino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Renna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Ruoppolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Michele Pavone
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo D’Agostino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria De Pasquale
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
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