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Alghamdi SS, Mustafa SM, Moore Ii BM. Synthesis and biological evaluation of a ring analogs of the selective CB2 inverse agonist SMM-189. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 33:116035. [PMID: 33550084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are the principle cell type driving sustained neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Multiple Sclerosis. Interestingly, microglia locked into a chronic M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype significantly up-regulate the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) expression. Our approach to exploiting CB2 as a therapeutic target in neuroinflammatory diseases focuses on the development of selective CB2 inverse agonists to shift microglia bias to a M2 pro-wound healing phenotype. Herein we report work designed to refine the structure activity relationship of the 2,6-dihydroxy-biphenyl-aryl-methanone CB2 inverse agonist scaffold. A series of analogs of our lead compound SMM-189 were synthesized and measured for affinity/selectivity, potency, and efficacy in regulating cAMP production and β-arrestin recruitment. In this series compound 40 demonstrated a significant increase in potency and efficacy for cAMP stimulation compared to SMM-189. Akin to our lead SMM-189, this compound was highly efficacious in biasing microglia to an M2 pro-wound healing phenotype in LPS stimulated cell lines. These results advance our understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the 2,6-dihydroxy-biphenyl-aryl-methanone scaffold and provide further support for regulating microglia activation using CB2 inverse agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar S Alghamdi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Suni M Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Bob M Moore Ii
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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5
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Yu Y, Li L, Nguyen DT, Mustafa SM, Moore BM, Jiang J. Inverse Agonism of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Confers Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects Following Status Epileptics. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2830-2845. [PMID: 32378121 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01923-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged status epilepticus (SE) in humans causes high mortality and brain inflammation-associated neuronal injury and morbidity in survivors. Currently, the only effective treatment is to terminate the seizures swiftly to prevent brain damage. However, reliance on acute therapies alone would be imprudent due to the required short response time. Follow-on therapies that can be delivered well after the SE onset are in an urgent need. Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), a G protein-coupled receptor that can be expressed by activated brain microglia, has emerged as an appealing anti-inflammatory target for brain conditions. In the current study, we reported that the CB2 inverse agonism by our current lead compound SMM-189 largely prevented the rat primary microglia-mediated inflammation and showed moderate neuroprotection against N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in rat primary hippocampal cultures containing both neurons and glia. Using a classical mouse model of epilepsy, in which SE was induced by systemic administration of kainate (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and proceeded for 1 h, we demonstrated that SE downregulated the CB1 but slightly upregulated CB2 receptor in the hippocampus. Transient treatment with SMM-189 (6 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d.) after the SE was interrupted by diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the seizure-induced cytokine surge in the brain, neuronal death, and behavioral impairments 24 h after SE. Our results suggest that CB2 inverse agonism might provide an adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapy that can be delivered hours after SE onset, together with NMDA receptor blockers and first-line anti-convulsants, to reduce brain injury and functional deficits following prolonged seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Lexiao Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Davis T Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Suni M Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Bob M Moore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Jianxiong Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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6
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Franks LN, Ford BM, Fujiwara T, Zhao H, Prather PL. The tamoxifen derivative ridaifen-B is a high affinity selective CB 2 receptor inverse agonist exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 353:31-42. [PMID: 29906493 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) target estrogen receptors (ERs) to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis. Several SERMs exhibit anti-cancer activity not related to ERs. To discover novel anti-cancer drugs acting via ER-independent mechanisms, derivatives of the SERM tamoxifen, known as the "ridaifen" compounds, have been developed that exhibit reduced or no ER affinity, while maintaining cytotoxicity. Tamoxifen and other SERMs bind to cannabinoid receptors with moderate affinity. Therefore, ER-independent effects of SERMs might be mediated via cannabinoid receptors. This study determined whether RID-B, a first generation ridaifen compound, exhibits affinity and/or activity at CB1 and/or CB2 cannabinoid receptors. RID-B binds with high affinity (Ki = 43.7 nM) and 17-fold selectivity to CB2 over CB1 receptors. RID-B acts as an inverse agonist at CB2 receptors, modulating G-protein and adenylyl cyclase activity with potency values predicted by CB2 affinity. Characteristic of an antagonist, RID-B co-incubation produces a parallel-rightward shift in the concentration-effect curve of CB2 agonist WIN-55,212-2 to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity. CB2 inverse agonists are reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-ostoeclastogenic effects. In LPS-activated macrophages, RID-B exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by reducing levels of nitric oxide (NO), IL-6 and IL-1α, but not TNFα. Only reduction of NO concentration by RID-B is mediated by cannabinoid receptors. RID-B also exhibits pronounced anti-osteoclastogenic effects, reducing the number of osteoclasts differentiating from primary bone marrow macrophages in a cannabinoid receptor-dependent manner. In summary, the tamoxifen derivative RID-B, developed with reduced affinity for ERs, is a high affinity selective CB2 inverse agonist with anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic properties.
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MESH Headings
- Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology
- Benzoxazines/pharmacology
- Binding, Competitive/drug effects
- Bone Marrow Cells/drug effects
- CHO Cells
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cricetinae
- Cricetulus
- Drug Inverse Agonism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Naphthalenes/pharmacology
- Osteoclasts/drug effects
- Pyrrolidines/metabolism
- Pyrrolidines/pharmacology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/drug effects
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/metabolism
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/pharmacology
- Tamoxifen/analogs & derivatives
- Tamoxifen/metabolism
- Tamoxifen/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirit N Franks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Benjamin M Ford
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Toshifumi Fujiwara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Division, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Haibo Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Division, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Paul L Prather
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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Pressly JD, Mustafa SM, Adibi AH, Alghamdi S, Pandey P, Roy KK, Doerksen RJ, Moore BM, Park F. Selective Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Stimulation Reduces Tubular Epithelial Cell Damage after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 364:287-299. [PMID: 29187590 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.245522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is an increasing problem in the clinic and has been associated with elevated rates of mortality. Therapies to treat AKI are currently not available, so identification of new targets that can be modulated to ameliorate renal damage upon diagnosis of AKI is essential. In this study, a novel cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, SMM-295 [3'-methyl-4-(2-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-2-yl)biphenyl-2,6-diol], was designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro and in silico. Molecular docking of SMM-295 into a CB2 active-state homology model showed that SMM-295 interacts well with key amino acids to stabilize the active state. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, SMM-295 was capable of reducing cAMP production with 66-fold selectivity for CB2 versus cannabinoid receptor 1 and dose-dependently increased mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt phosphorylation. In vivo testing of the CB2 agonist was performed using a mouse model of bilateral IRI, which is a common model to mimic human AKI, where SMM-295 was immediately administered upon reperfusion of the kidneys after the ischemia episode. Histologic damage assessment 48 hours after reperfusion demonstrated reduced tubular damage in the presence of SMM-295. This was consistent with reduced plasma markers of renal dysfunction (i.e., creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) in SMM-295-treated mice. Mechanistically, kidneys treated with SMM-295 were shown to have elevated activation of Akt with reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells compared with vehicle-treated kidneys after IRI. These data suggest that selective CB2 receptor activation could be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Pressly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Suni M Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Ammaar H Adibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Sahar Alghamdi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Pankaj Pandey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Kuldeep K Roy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Robert J Doerksen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Bob M Moore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
| | - Frank Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (J.D.P., S.M.M., A.A., S.A., B.M.M., F.P.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences (P.P., K.K.R., R.J.D.) and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (R.J.D.), School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India (K.K.R.)
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8
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Franks LN, Ford BM, Prather PL. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators: Cannabinoid Receptor Inverse Agonists with Differential CB1 and CB2 Selectivity. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:503. [PMID: 28066250 PMCID: PMC5177629 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are used to treat estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and osteoporosis. Interestingly, tamoxifen and newer classes of SERMs also exhibit cytotoxic effects in cancers devoid of ERs, indicating a non-estrogenic mechanism of action. Indicative of a potential ER-independent target, reports demonstrate that tamoxifen binds to cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) with affinity in the low μM range and acts as an inverse agonist. To identify cannabinoids with improved pharmacological properties relative to tamoxifen, and further investigate the use of different SERM scaffolds for future cannabinoid drug development, this study characterized the affinity and activity of SERMs in newer structural classes at CBRs. Fourteen SERMs from five structurally distinct classes were screened for binding to human CBRs. Compounds from four of five SERM classes examined bound to CBRs. Subsequent studies fully characterized CBR affinity and activity of one compound from each class. Ospemifine (a triphenylethylene) selectively bound to CB1Rs, while bazedoxifine (an indole) bound to CB2Rs with highest affinity. Nafoxidine (a tetrahydronaphthalene) and raloxifene (RAL; a benzothiaphene) bound to CB1 and CB2Rs non-selectively. All four compounds acted as inverse agonists at CB1 and CB2Rs, reducing basal G-protein activity with IC50 values in the nM to low μM range. Ospemifine, bazedoxifene and RAL also acted as inverse agonists to elevate basal intracellular cAMP levels in intact CHO-hCB2 cells. The four SERMs examined also acted as CB1 and CB2R antagonists in the cAMP assay, producing rightward shifts in the concentration-effect curve of the CBR agonist CP-55,940. In conclusion, newer classes of SERMs exhibit improved pharmacological characteristics (e.g., in CBR affinity and selectivity) relative to initial studies with tamoxifen, and thus suggest that different SERM scaffolds may be useful for development of safe and selective drugs acting via CBRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirit N Franks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR, USA
| | - Benjamin M Ford
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR, USA
| | - Paul L Prather
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR, USA
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9
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Navarro G, Morales P, Rodríguez-Cueto C, Fernández-Ruiz J, Jagerovic N, Franco R. Targeting Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors in the Central Nervous System. Medicinal Chemistry Approaches with Focus on Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:406. [PMID: 27679556 PMCID: PMC5020102 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids activate two types of specific G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), namely cannabinoid CB1 and CB2. Contrary to the psychotropic actions of agonists of CB1 receptors, and serious side effects of the selective antagonists of this receptor, drugs acting on CB2 receptors appear as promising drugs to combat CNS diseases (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, cerebellar ataxia, amyotrohic lateral sclerosis). Differential localization of CB2 receptors in neural cell types and upregulation in neuroinflammation are keys to understand the therapeutic potential in inter alia diseases that imply progressive neurodegeneration. Medicinal chemistry approaches are now engaged to develop imaging tools to map receptors in the living human brain, to develop more efficacious agonists, and to investigate the possibility to develop allosteric modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain; Cell and Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasMadrid, Spain; Center for Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC, USA
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Cueto
- Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad ComplutenseMadrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación SanitariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad ComplutenseMadrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación SanitariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain; Cell and Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
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