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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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2
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Mukherjee A, Zamani F, Suzuki T. Evolution of Slow-Binding Inhibitors Targeting Histone Deacetylase Isoforms. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11672-11700. [PMID: 37651268 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Because the overexpression of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) has been linked to numerous diseases, including various cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, HDAC inhibitors have emerged as promising therapeutic agents. However, most HDAC inhibitors lack both subclass and isoform selectivity, which leads to potential toxicity. Unlike classical hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors, slow-binding HDAC inhibitors form tight and prolonged bonds with HDAC enzymes. This distinct mechanism of action improves both selectivity and toxicity profiles, which makes slow-binding HDAC inhibitors a promising class of therapeutic agents for various diseases. Therefore, the development of slow-binding HDAC inhibitors that can effectively target a wide range of HDAC isoforms is crucial. This Perspective provides valuable insights into the potential and progress of slow-binding HDAC inhibitors as promising drug candidates for the treatment of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farzad Zamani
- SANKEN, Osaka University, Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Suzuki
- SANKEN, Osaka University, Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
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3
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Life B, Bettio LE, Gantois I, Christie BR, Leavitt BR. Progranulin is an FMRP target that influences macroorchidism but not behaviour in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100094. [PMID: 37416094 PMCID: PMC10319828 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has implicated progranulin in neurodevelopment and indicated that aberrant progranulin expression may be involved in neurodevelopmental disease. Specifically, increased progranulin expression in the prefrontal cortex has been suggested to be pathologically relevant in male Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1 KO) mice, a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Further investigation into the role of progranulin in FXS is warranted to determine if therapies that reduce progranulin expression represent a viable strategy for treating patients with FXS. Several key knowledge gaps remain. The mechanism of increased progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice is poorly understood and the extent of progranulin's involvement in FXS-like phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice has been incompletely explored. To this end, we have performed a thorough characterization of progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice. We find that the phenomenon of increased progranulin expression is post-translational and tissue-specific. We also demonstrate for the first time an association between progranulin mRNA and FMRP, suggesting that progranulin mRNA is an FMRP target. Subsequently, we show that progranulin over-expression in Fmr1 wild-type mice causes reduced repetitive behaviour engagement in females and mild hyperactivity in males but is largely insufficient to recapitulate FXS-associated behavioural, morphological, and electrophysiological abnormalities. Lastly, we determine that genetic reduction of progranulin expression on an Fmr1 KO background reduces macroorchidism but does not alter other FXS-associated behaviours or biochemical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Life
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Luis E.B. Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Ilse Gantois
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian R. Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Blair R. Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Silva MC, Nandi G, Haggarty SJ. Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Cortical Neurons to Advance Precision Medicine. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2429:143-174. [PMID: 35507160 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1979-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A major obstacle in studying human central nervous system (CNS) diseases is inaccessibility to the affected tissue and cells. Even in limited cases where tissue is available through surgical interventions, differentiated neurons cannot be maintained for extended time frames, which is prohibitive for experimental repetition and scalability. Advances in methodologies for reprogramming human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and directed differentiation of human neurons in culture now allow access to physiological and disease relevant cell types. In particular, patient iPSC-derived neurons represent unique ex vivo neuronal networks that allow investigating disease genetic and molecular pathways in physiologically accurate cellular microenvironments, importantly recapitulating molecular and cellular phenotypic aspects of disease. Generation of functional neural cells from iPSCs relies on manipulation of culture formats in the presence of specific factors that promote the conversion of pluripotent stem cells into neurons. To this end, several experimental protocols have been developed. Direct differentiation of stem cells into post-mitotic neurons is usually associated with low throughput, low yield, and high technical variability. Instead, methods relying on expansion of the intermediate neural progenitor cells (NPCs) show incredible potential for posterior generation of suitable neuronal cultures for cellular and biochemical assays, as well as drug screening. NPCs are expandable, self-renewable multipotent cells that can differentiate into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and electrically active neurons. Here, we describe a protocol for generating iPSC-derived NPCs via formation of neural aggregates and selection of NPC precursor neural rosettes, followed by a simple and reproducible method for generating a mixed population of cortical-like neurons through growth factor withdrawal. Implementation of this protocol has the potential to advance the goals of precision medicine research for both neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ghata Nandi
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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5
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Larizza L, Calzari L, Alari V, Russo S. Genes for RNA-binding proteins involved in neural-specific functions and diseases are downregulated in Rubinstein-Taybi iNeurons. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:5-14. [PMID: 34100419 PMCID: PMC8451555 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.314286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Taking advantage of the fast-growing knowledge of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) we review the signature of downregulated genes for RBPs in the transcriptome of induced pluripotent stem cell neurons (iNeurons) modelling the neurodevelopmental Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome (RSTS) caused by mutations in the genes encoding CBP/p300 acetyltransferases. We discuss top and functionally connected downregulated genes sorted to “RNA processing” and “Ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis” Gene Ontology clusters. The first set of downregulated RBPs includes members of hnRNHP (A1, A2B1, D, G, H2-H1, MAGOHB, PAPBC), core subunits of U small nuclear ribonucleoproteins and Serine-Arginine splicing regulators families, acting in precursor messenger RNA alternative splicing and processing. Consistent with literature findings on reduced transcript levels of serine/arginine repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4) protein, the main regulator of the neural-specific microexons splicing program upon depletion of Ep300 and Crebbp in mouse neurons, RSTS iNeurons show downregulated genes for proteins impacting this network. We link downregulated genes to neurological disorders including the new HNRNPH1-related intellectual disability syndrome with clinical overlap to RSTS. The set of downregulated genes for Ribosome biogenesis includes several components of ribosomal subunits and nucleolar proteins, such NOP58 and fibrillarin that form complexes with snoRNAs with a central role in guiding post-transcriptional modifications needed for rRNA maturation. These nucleolar proteins are “dual” players as fibrillarin is also required for epigenetic regulation of ribosomal genes and conversely NOP58-associated snoRNA levels are under the control of NOP58 interactor BMAL1, a transcriptional regulator of the circadian rhythm. Additional downregulated genes for “dual specificity” RBPs such as RUVBL1 and METTL1 highlight the links between chromatin and the RBP-ome and the contribution of perturbations in their cross-talk to RSTS. We underline the hub position of CBP/p300 in chromatin regulation, the impact of its defect on neurons’ post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and the potential use of epidrugs in therapeutics of RBP-caused neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Larizza
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luciano Calzari
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Alari
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Russo
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
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6
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Histone Modifications in Neurological Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1382:95-107. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-05460-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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7
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Li Y, Sang S, Ren W, Pei Y, Bian Y, Chen Y, Sun H. Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease: A review (2010-2020). Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113874. [PMID: 34619465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, which is characterized by the primary risk factor, age. Several attempts have been made to treat AD, while most of them end in failure. However, with the deepening study of pathogenesis of AD, the expression of HDAC6 in the hippocampus, which plays a major role of the memory formation, is becoming worth of notice. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), a remarkable lesion in AD, has been characterized in association with the abnormal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau, which is mainly caused by the high expression of HDAC6. On the other hand, the hypoacetylated tubulin induced by HDAC6 is also fatal for the neuronal transport, which is the key impact of the formation of axons and dendrites. Overall, the significantly increased expression of HDAC6 in brain regions is deleterious to neuron survival in AD patients. Based on the above research, the inhibition of HDAC6 seems to be a potential therapeutic method for the treatment of AD. Up to now, various types of HDAC6 inhibitors have been discovered. This review mainly analyzes the HDAC6 inhibitors reported amid 2010-2020 in terms of their structure, selectivity and pharmacological impact towards AD. And we aim at facilitating the design and development of better HDAC6 inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunheng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shenghu Sang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Weijie Ren
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuqiong Pei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yaoyao Bian
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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8
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Abstract
Neuroepigenetics, a new branch of epigenetics, plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Neuroepigenetics is associated with holistic neuronal function and helps in formation and maintenance of memory and learning processes. This includes neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative defects in which histone modification enzymes appear to play a crucial role. These modifications, carried out by acetyltransferases and deacetylases, regulate biologic and cellular processes such as apoptosis and autophagy, inflammatory response, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell-cycle progression and oxidative stress. Alterations in acetylation status of histone as well as non-histone substrates lead to transcriptional deregulation. Histone deacetylase decreases acetylation status and causes transcriptional repression of regulatory genes involved in neural plasticity, synaptogenesis, synaptic and neural plasticity, cognition and memory, and neural differentiation. Transcriptional deactivation in the brain results in development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Mounting evidence implicates histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets to combat neurologic disorders. Recent studies have targeted naturally-occurring biomolecules and micro-RNAs to improve cognitive defects and memory. Multi-target drug ligands targeting HDAC have been developed and used in cell-culture and animal-models of neurologic disorders to ameliorate synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. Herein, we focus on the implications of histone deacetylase enzymes in neuropathology, their regulation of brain function and plausible involvement in the pathogenesis of neurologic defects.
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9
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Evaluation of Class IIa Histone Deacetylases Expression and In Vivo Epigenetic Imaging in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168633. [PMID: 34445342 PMCID: PMC8395513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) is associated with synaptic plasticity and memory formation, and its aberrant expression has been linked to cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the role of class IIa HDAC expression in AD and monitor it in vivo using a novel radiotracer, 6-(tri-fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide ([18F]TFAHA). A human neural cell culture model with familial AD (FAD) mutations was established and used for in vitro assays. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [18F]TFAHA was performed in a 3xTg AD mouse model for in vivo evaluation. The results showed a significant increase in HDAC4 expression in response to amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the cell model. Moreover, treatment with an HDAC4 selective inhibitor significantly upregulated the expression of neuronal memory-/synaptic plasticity-related genes. In [18F]TFAHA-PET imaging, whole brain or regional uptake was significantly higher in 3xTg AD mice compared with WT mice at 8 and 11 months of age. Our study demonstrated a correlation between class IIa HDACs and Aβs, the therapeutic benefit of a selective inhibitor, and the potential of using [18F]TFAHA as an epigenetic radiotracer for AD, which might facilitate the development of AD-related neuroimaging approaches and therapies.
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10
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Terryn J, Verfaillie CM, Van Damme P. Tweaking Progranulin Expression: Therapeutic Avenues and Opportunities. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:713031. [PMID: 34366786 PMCID: PMC8343103 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.713031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease, leading to behavioral changes and language difficulties. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) induce haploinsufficiency of the protein and are associated with up to one-third of all genetic FTD cases worldwide. While the loss of GRN is primarily associated with neurodegeneration, the biological functions of the secreted growth factor-like protein are more diverse, ranging from wound healing, inflammation, vasculogenesis, and metabolic regulation to tumor cell growth and metastasis. To date, no disease-modifying treatments exist for FTD, but different therapeutic approaches to boost GRN levels in the central nervous system are currently being developed (including AAV-mediated GRN gene delivery as well as anti-SORT1 antibody therapy). In this review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted regulation of GRN levels and the corresponding therapeutic avenues. We discuss the opportunities, advantages, and potential drawbacks of the diverse approaches. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of elevating GRN levels beyond patients with loss-of-function mutations in GRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke Terryn
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine M Verfaillie
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Interdepartmental Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Rodrigues PS, Kale PP. Mini review - The role of Glucocerebrosidase and Progranulin as possible targets in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 177:1082-1089. [PMID: 34175090 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
As per recent reports, there is an association between glucocerebrosidase (Gcase) enzyme and Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, certain mutations in the Gcase gene (GBA) and the progranulin (PGRN) gene are found to be linked with the imbalance in the levels of Gcase enzyme. This imbalance or decrease or impairment in Gcase activity can lead to Gaucher disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), dementia, etc. Recent evidences suggest that the drugs used to treat these diseases can be used for PD. The present review has focused on the therapeutic approaches used for diseases linked with Gcase enzyme, which can be used for PD. The review also considered possible target specific novel strategies, which may help to meet the unmet needs in the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle west, 400056 Mumbai, India
| | - P P Kale
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle west, 400056 Mumbai, India.
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12
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Vieira SRL, Morris HR. Neurodegenerative Disease Risk in Carriers of Autosomal Recessive Disease. Front Neurol 2021; 12:679927. [PMID: 34149605 PMCID: PMC8211888 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.679927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetics has driven significant discoveries in the field of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). An emerging theme in neurodegeneration warrants an urgent and comprehensive update: that carrier status of early-onset autosomal recessive (AR) disease, typically considered benign, is associated with an increased risk of a spectrum of late-onset NDDs. Glucosylceramidase beta (GBA1) gene mutations, responsible for the AR lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease, are a prominent example of this principle, having been identified as an important genetic risk factor for Parkinson disease. Genetic analyses have revealed further examples, notably GRN, TREM2, EIF2AK3, and several other LSD and mitochondria function genes. In this Review, we discuss the evidence supporting the strikingly distinct allele-dependent clinical phenotypes observed in carriers of such gene mutations and its impact on the wider field of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huw R. Morris
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Athira KV, Sadanandan P, Chakravarty S. Repurposing Vorinostat for the Treatment of Disorders Affecting Brain. Neuromolecular Med 2021; 23:449-465. [PMID: 33948878 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-021-08660-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Based on the findings in recent years, we summarize the therapeutic potential of vorinostat (VOR), the first approved histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in disorders of brain, and strategies to improve drug efficacy and reduce side effects. Scientific evidences provide a strong case for the therapeutic utility of VOR in various disorders affecting brain, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, epilepsy, Niemann-Pick type C disease, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Further elucidation of the neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties of VOR using proper clinical study designs could provide momentum towards its clinical application. To improve the therapeutic prospect, concerns on systemic toxicity and off-target actions need to be addressed along with the improvement in formulation and delivery aspects, especially with respect to solubility, permeability, and pharmacokinetic properties. Newer approaches in this regard include poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(DL-lactic acid) micelles, VOR-pluronic F127 micelles, encapsulation of iron complexes of VOR into PEGylated liposomes, human serum albumin bound VOR nanomedicine, magnetically guided layer-by-layer assembled nanocarriers, as well as convection-enhanced delivery. Even though targeting specific class or isoform of HDAC is projected as advantageous over pan-HDAC inhibitor like VOR, in terms of adverse effects and efficacy, till clinical validation, the idea is debated. As the VOR treatment-related adverse changes are mostly found reversible, further optimization of the therapeutic strategies with respect to dose, dosage regimen, and formulations of VOR could propel its clinical prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Athira
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, 682 041, Kerala, India.
| | - Prashant Sadanandan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Analysis, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, 682 041, Kerala, India
| | - Sumana Chakravarty
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India.
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14
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Giunta M, Solje E, Gardoni F, Borroni B, Benussi A. Experimental Disease-Modifying Agents for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:359-376. [PMID: 33790662 PMCID: PMC8005747 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s262352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is a clinically, genetically and pathologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder, enclosing a wide range of different pathological entities, associated with the accumulation of proteins such as tau and TPD-43. Characterized by a high hereditability, mutations in three main genes, MAPT, GRN and C9orf72, can drive the neurodegenerative process. The connection between different genes and proteinopathies through specific mechanisms has shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease, leading to the identification of potential pharmacological targets. New experimental strategies are emerging, in both preclinical and clinical settings, which focus on small molecules rather than gene therapy. In this review, we provide an insight into the aberrant mechanisms leading to FTLD-related proteinopathies and discuss recent therapies with the potential to ameliorate neurodegeneration and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Giunta
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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15
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Xia C, Tao Y, Li M, Che T, Qu J. Protein acetylation and deacetylation: An important regulatory modification in gene transcription (Review). Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:2923-2940. [PMID: 32855658 PMCID: PMC7444376 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells primarily rely on proteins to perform the majority of their physiological functions, and the function of proteins is regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). The acetylation of proteins is a dynamic and highly specific PTM, which has an important influence on the functions of proteins, such as gene transcription and signal transduction. The acetylation of proteins is primarily dependent on lysine acetyltransferases and lysine deacetylases. In recent years, due to the widespread use of mass spectrometry and the emergence of new technologies, such as protein chips, studies on protein acetylation have been further developed. Compared with histone acetylation, acetylation of non-histone proteins has gradually become the focus of research due to its important regulatory mechanisms and wide range of applications. The discovery of specific protein acetylation sites using bioinformatic tools can greatly aid the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of protein acetylation involved in related physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Xia
- Department of Cell Biology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Yu Tao
- Department of Cell Biology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Mingshan Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Tuanjie Che
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Translational Medicine, Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215153, P.R. China
| | - Jing Qu
- Department of Cell Biology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
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16
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Silva MC, Haggarty SJ. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived models and drug screening in CNS precision medicine. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1471:18-56. [PMID: 30875083 PMCID: PMC8193821 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective therapeutics for neurological disorders has historically been challenging partly because of lack of accurate model systems in which to investigate disease etiology and test new therapeutics at the preclinical stage. Human stem cells, particularly patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) upon differentiation, have the ability to recapitulate aspects of disease pathophysiology and are increasingly recognized as robust scalable systems for drug discovery. We review advances in deriving cellular models of human central nervous system (CNS) disorders using iPSCs along with strategies for investigating disease-relevant phenotypes, translatable biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Given their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and leads, we focus on phenotype-based, small-molecule screens employing human stem cell-derived models. Integrated efforts to assemble patient iPSC-derived cell models with deeply annotated clinicopathological data, along with molecular and drug-response signatures, may aid in the stratification of patients, diagnostics, and clinical trial success, shifting translational science and precision medicine approaches. A number of remaining challenges, including the optimization of cost-effective, large-scale culture of iPSC-derived cell types, incorporation of aging into neuronal models, as well as robustness and automation of phenotypic assays to support quantitative drug efficacy, toxicity, and metabolism testing workflows, are covered. Continued advancement of the field is expected to help fully humanize the process of CNS drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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17
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Sellami L, Saracino D, Le Ber I. Genetic forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration: Current diagnostic approach and new directions in therapeutic strategies. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 176:571-581. [PMID: 32312500 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases have substantially improved our knowledge about the genetic causes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Three major genes, namely progranulin (GRN), C9orf72 and MAPT, as well as several less common genes, are responsible for the majority of familial cases and for a significant proportion of sporadic forms, including FTLD with or without associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and some rarer clinical presentations. Plasma progranulin dosage and next-generation sequencing are currently available tools which allow the detection of a genetic cause in a more rapid and efficient way. This has important consequences for clinical practice and genetic counseling for patients and families. The ongoing investigations on some therapeutic candidates targeting different biological pathways involved in the most frequent genetic forms of FTLD, as well as a better understanding of the early pathophysiological modifications occurring during the presymptomatic phase of the disease could hopefully contribute to develop effective disease-modifying therapies. The identification of a causal mutation in a family is of outmost importance indeed to propose to presymptomatic carriers their inclusion in clinical trials with the aim to prevent or delay the onset of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sellami
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), Sorbonne université, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Département de neurologie, centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - D Saracino
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), Sorbonne université, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Département de neurologie, centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - I Le Ber
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), Sorbonne université, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Département de neurologie, centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France; Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), FrontLab, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, CS21414, 75646 Paris cedex, France.
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18
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Abstract
Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a heterogeneous spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by diverse clinical presentations, neuropathological characteristics, and underlying genetic causes. In the last few years, several advances in the knowledge of clinical and biological aspects have been accomplished and three major scenarios have emerged that will represent the core issues in the FTD scene over the next few years. Foremost, the development of cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers as well as neuroimaging techniques will aid the pursuit of new diagnostic and prognostic markers able to identify the ongoing proteinopathy and predict disease progression, which is key in identifying and stratifying patients for enrolment in clinical trials as well as evaluating response to treatment. On the other hand, current research has focused on the first attempts to slow down or revert disease progression, with the identification of disease modulators associated with disease onset and the ongoing development of the first pharmacological treatments for both sporadic and genetic FTD. Future research will certainly improve our knowledge of FTD and possibly open up a new era of disease-modifying therapies for this still-orphan disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25100, Italy
| | - Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25100, Italy
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19
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Zhao WN, Hylton NK, Wang J, Chindavong PS, Alural B, Kurtser I, Subramanian A, Mazitschek R, Perlis RH, Haggarty SJ. Activation of WNT and CREB signaling pathways in human neuronal cells in response to the Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Mol Cell Neurosci 2019; 99:103386. [PMID: 31202891 PMCID: PMC7001743 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) elects treatment with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), including the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Previous studies in rodents suggest that DHA modulates neurodevelopmental processes, including adult neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms of DHA's potential therapeutic effect in the context of human neurobiology have not been well established. Here we sought to address this knowledge gap by investigating the effects of DHA using human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and post-mitotic neurons using pathway-selective reporter genes, multiplexed mRNA expression profiling, and a panel of metabolism-based viability assays. Finally, real-time, live-cell imaging was employed to monitor neurite outgrowth upon DHA treatment. Overall, these studies showed that DHA treatment (0-50 μM) significantly upregulated both WNT and CREB signaling pathways in human neuronal cells in a dose-dependent manner with 2- to 3-fold increases in pathway activation. Additionally, we observed that DHA treatment enhanced survival of iPSC-derived NPCs and differentiation of post-mitotic neurons with live-cell imaging, revealing increased neurite outgrowth with DHA treatment within 24 h. Taken together, this study provides evidence that DHA treatment activates critical pathways regulating neuroplasticity, which may contribute to enhanced neuronal cell viability and neuronal connectivity. The extent to which these pathways represent molecular mechanisms underlying the potential beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids in MDD and other brain disorders merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ning Zhao
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Norma K Hylton
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Center for Quantitative Health, Center for Genomic Medicine, Division of Clinical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Peter S Chindavong
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Begum Alural
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir 35210, Turkey
| | - Iren Kurtser
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Aravind Subramanian
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States of America
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States of America; Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Center for Quantitative Health, Center for Genomic Medicine, Division of Clinical Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America.
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America.
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20
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Moreno-Yruela C, Fass DM, Cheng C, Herz J, Olsen CA, Haggarty SJ. Kinetic Tuning of HDAC Inhibitors Affords Potent Inducers of Progranulin Expression. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3769-3777. [PMID: 31330099 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes involved in the epigenetic control of gene expression. A handful of HDAC inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of cancer, and HDAC inhibition has also been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders include progranulin (PGRN)-deficient forms of frontotemporal dementia caused by mutations in the GRN gene that lead to haploinsufficiency. Hydroxamic-acid-based inhibitors of HDACs 1-3, reported to have fast-on/fast-off binding kinetics, induce increased expression of PGRN in human neuronal models, while the benzamide class of slow-binding HDAC inhibitors does not produce this effect. These observations indicate that the kinetics of HDAC inhibitor binding can be tuned for optimal induction of human PGRN expression in neurons. Here, we further expand on these findings using human cortical-like, glutamatergic neurons. We provide evidence that two prototypical, potent hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitors that induce PGRN (panobinostat and trichostatin A) exhibit an initial fast-binding step followed by a second, slower step, referred to as mechanism B of slow binding, rather than simpler fast-on/fast-off binding kinetics. In addition, we show that trapoxin A, a macrocyclic, epoxyketone-containing class I HDAC inhibitor, exhibits slow binding with high, picomolar potency and also induces PGRN expression in human neurons. Finally, we demonstrate induction of PGRN expression by fast-on/fast-off, highly potent, macrocyclic HDAC inhibitors with ethyl ketone or ethyl ester Zn2+ binding groups. Taken together, these data expand our understanding of HDAC1-3 inhibitor binding kinetics, and further delineate the specific combinations of structural and kinetic features of HDAC inhibitors that are optimal for upregulating PGRN expression in human neurons and thus may have translational relevance in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Moreno-Yruela
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals & Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Daniel M. Fass
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Chialin Cheng
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Joachim Herz
- Departments of Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience, Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9046, United States
| | - Christian A. Olsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals & Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
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21
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Butler VJ, Gao F, Corrales CI, Cortopassi WA, Caballero B, Vohra M, Ashrafi K, Cuervo AM, Jacobson MP, Coppola G, Kao AW. Age- and stress-associated C. elegans granulins impair lysosomal function and induce a compensatory HLH-30/TFEB transcriptional response. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008295. [PMID: 31398187 PMCID: PMC6703691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive failure of protein homeostasis is a hallmark of aging and a common feature in neurodegenerative disease. As the enzymes executing the final stages of autophagy, lysosomal proteases are key contributors to the maintenance of protein homeostasis with age. We previously reported that expression of granulin peptides, the cleavage products of the neurodegenerative disease protein progranulin, enhance the accumulation and toxicity of TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). In this study we show that C. elegans granulins are produced in an age- and stress-dependent manner. Granulins localize to the endolysosomal compartment where they impair lysosomal protease expression and activity. Consequently, protein homeostasis is disrupted, promoting the nuclear translocation of the lysosomal transcription factor HLH-30/TFEB, and prompting cells to activate a compensatory transcriptional program. The three C. elegans granulin peptides exhibited distinct but overlapping functional effects in our assays, which may be due to amino acid composition that results in distinct electrostatic and hydrophobicity profiles. Our results support a model in which granulin production modulates a critical transition between the normal, physiological regulation of protease activity and the impairment of lysosomal function that can occur with age and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J. Butler
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Fuying Gao
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Christian I. Corrales
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Wilian A. Cortopassi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Caballero
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mihir Vohra
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kaveh Ashrafi
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ana Maria Cuervo
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Jacobson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Aimee W. Kao
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Abstract
Dementia is an overarching term which describes a group of symptoms that result in long-term decline in cognitive functioning that is significant enough to affect daily function. It is caused by a number of different diseases, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there are no definitive biomarkers for preclinical or diagnostic use, or which differentiate between underlying disease types. The purpose of this review is to highlight several important areas of research on blood-based biomarkers of dementia, with a specific focus on epigenetic biomarkers. A systematic search of the literature identified 77 studies that compared blood DNA methylation between individuals with dementia and controls and 45 studies that measured microRNA. Very few studies were identified that focused on histone modifications. There were many promising findings from studies in the field of blood-based epigenetic biomarkers of dementia, however, a lack of consistency in study design, technologies, and platforms used for the biomarker measurement, as well as statistical analysis methods, have hampered progress. To date, there are very few findings that have been independently replicated across more than one study, indicating a preponderance of false-positive findings and the field has likely been plagued by positive publication bias. Here, we highlight and discuss several of the limitations of existing studies and provide recommendations for how these could be overcome in future research. A robust framework should be followed to enable development of the most valid and reproducible biomarkers with the strongest clinical utility. Defining a series of biomarkers that may be complimentary to each other could permit a stronger multifactorial biomarker to be developed that would allow for not only accurate dementia diagnosis but preclinical detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Fransquet
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.,Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute , Parkville , Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.,Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute , Parkville , Australia
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23
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An update on genetic frontotemporal dementia. J Neurol 2019; 266:2075-2086. [PMID: 31119452 PMCID: PMC6647117 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a highly heritable group of neurodegenerative disorders, with around 30% of patients having a strong family history. The majority of that heritability is accounted for by autosomal dominant mutations in the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), progranulin (GRN), and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) genes, with mutations more rarely seen in a number of other genes. This review will discuss the recent updates in the field of genetic FTD. Age at symptom onset in genetic FTD is variable with recently identified genetic modifiers including TMEM106B (in GRN carriers particularly) and a polymorphism at a locus containing two overlapping genes LOC101929163 and C6orf10 (in C9orf72 carriers). Behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) is the most common diagnosis in each of the genetic groups, although in C9orf72 carriers amyotrophic lateral sclerosis either alone, or with bvFTD, is also common. An atypical neuropsychiatric presentation is also seen in C9orf72 carriers and family members of carriers are at greater risk of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autistic spectrum disorders. Large natural history studies of presymptomatic genetic FTD are now underway both in Europe/Canada (GENFI—the Genetic FTD Initiative) and in the US (ARTFL/LEFFTDS study), collaborating together under the banner of the FTD Prevention Initiative (FPI). These studies are taking forward the validation of cognitive, imaging and fluid biomarkers that aim to robustly measure disease onset, staging and progression in genetic FTD. Grey matter changes on MRI and hypometabolism on FDG-PET are seen at least 10 years before symptom onset with white matter abnormalities seen earlier, but the pattern and exact timing of changes differ between different genetic groups. In contrast, tau PET has yet to show promise in genetic FTD. Three key fluid biomarkers have been identified so far that are likely to be helpful in clinical trials—CSF or blood neurofilament light chain levels (in all groups), CSF or blood progranulin levels (in GRN carriers) and CSF poly(GP) dipeptide repeat protein levels (in C9orf72 carriers). Increased knowledge about genetic FTD has led to more clinical presymptomatic genetic testing but this has not yet been mirrored in the development of either an accepted FTD-specific testing protocol or provision of appropriate psychological support mechanisms for those living through the at-risk phase. This will become even more relevant as disease-modifying therapy trials start in each of the genetic groups over the next few years.
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24
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Pharmacologic normalization of pathogenic dosage underlying genetic diseases: an overview of the literature and path forward. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:53-62. [PMID: 33523192 DOI: 10.1042/etls20180099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most monogenic disorders are caused by a pathologic deficit or excess of a single transcript and/or protein. Given that small molecules, including drugs, can affect levels of mRNA and protein, the pharmacologic normalization of such pathogenic dosage represents a possible therapeutic approach for such conditions. Here, we review the literature exploring pharmacologic modulation of mRNA and/or protein levels for disorders with paralogous modifier genes, for haploinsufficient disorders (insufficient gene-product), as well as toxic gain-of-function disorders (surplus or pathologic gene-product). We also discuss challenges facing the development of rare disease therapy by pharmacologic modulation of mRNA and protein. Finally, we lay out guiding principles for selection of disorders which may be amenable to this approach.
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25
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Kumari D, Gazy I, Usdin K. Pharmacological Reactivation of the Silenced FMR1 Gene as a Targeted Therapeutic Approach for Fragile X Syndrome. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9020039. [PMID: 30759772 PMCID: PMC6406686 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9020039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
More than ~200 CGG repeats in the 5′ untranslated region of the FMR1 gene results in transcriptional silencing and the absence of the FMR1 encoded protein, FMRP. FMRP is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the transport and translation of a variety of brain mRNAs in an activity-dependent manner. The loss of FMRP causes dysregulation of many neuronal pathways and results in an intellectual disability disorder, fragile X syndrome (FXS). Currently, there is no effective treatment for FXS. In this review, we discuss reactivation of the FMR1 gene as a potential approach for FXS treatment with an emphasis on the use of small molecules to inhibit the pathways important for gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daman Kumari
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Inbal Gazy
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Karen Usdin
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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26
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Gilbert TM, Zürcher NR, Wu CJ, Bhanot A, Hightower BG, Kim M, Albrecht DS, Wey HY, Schroeder FA, Rodriguez-Thompson A, Morin TM, Hart KL, Pellegrini AM, Riley MM, Wang C, Stufflebeam SM, Haggarty SJ, Holt DJ, Loggia ML, Perlis RH, Brown HE, Roffman JL, Hooker JM. PET neuroimaging reveals histone deacetylase dysregulation in schizophrenia. J Clin Invest 2018; 129:364-372. [PMID: 30530989 DOI: 10.1172/jci123743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) experience chronic cognitive deficits. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that regulate cognitive circuitry; however, the role of HDACs in cognitive disorders, including SCZ, remains unknown in humans. We previously determined that HDAC2 mRNA levels were lower in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tissue from donors with SCZ compared with controls. Here we investigated the relationship between in vivo HDAC expression and cognitive impairment in patients with SCZ and matched healthy controls using [11C]Martinostat positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS In a case-control study, relative [11C]Martinostat uptake was compared between 14 patients with SCZ or schizoaffective disorder (SCZ/SAD) and 17 controls using hypothesis-driven region-of-interest analysis and unbiased whole brain voxel-wise approaches. Clinical measures, including the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery, were administered. RESULTS Relative HDAC expression was lower in the DLPFC of patients with SCZ/SAD compared with controls, and HDAC expression positively correlated with cognitive performance scores across groups. Patients with SCZ/SAD also showed lower relative HDAC expression in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal gyrus, and higher relative HDAC expression in the cerebral white matter, pons, and cerebellum compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide in vivo evidence of HDAC dysregulation in patients with SCZ and suggest that altered HDAC expression may impact cognitive function in humans. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Brain and Behavior Foundation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant Program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonya M Gilbert
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicole R Zürcher
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine J Wu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anisha Bhanot
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Baileigh G Hightower
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Minhae Kim
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel S Albrecht
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hsiao-Ying Wey
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick A Schroeder
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anais Rodriguez-Thompson
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas M Morin
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Misha M Riley
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Changning Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven M Stufflebeam
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Center for Genomic Medicine.,Department of Neurology, and.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daphne J Holt
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marco L Loggia
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Genomic Medicine.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hannah E Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua L Roffman
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob M Hooker
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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27
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Zhao WN, Ghosh B, Tyler M, Lalonde J, Joseph NF, Kosaric N, Fass DM, Tsai LH, Mazitschek R, Haggarty SJ. Class I Histone Deacetylase Inhibition by Tianeptinaline Modulates Neuroplasticity and Enhances Memory. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2262-2273. [PMID: 29932631 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Through epigenetic and other regulatory functions, the histone deacetylase (HDAC) family of enzymes has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for central nervous system and other disorders. Here we report on the synthesis and functional characterization of new HDAC inhibitors based structurally on tianeptine, a drug used primarily to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) that has a poorly understood mechanism of action. Since the chemical structure of tianeptine resembles certain HDAC inhibitors, we profiled the in vitro HDAC inhibitory activity of tianeptine and demonstrated its ability to inhibit the lysine deacetylase activity of a subset of class I HDACs. Consistent with a model of active site Zn2+ chelation by the carboxylic acid present in tianeptine, newly synthesized analogues containing either a hydroxamic acid or ortho-aminoanilide exhibited increased potency and selectivity among the HDAC family. This in vitro potency translated to improved efficacy in a panel of high-content imaging assays designed to assess HDAC target engagement and functional effects on critical pathways involved in neuroplasticity in both primary mouse neurons and, for the first time, human neurons differentiated from pluripotent stem cells. Most notably, tianeptinaline, a class I HDAC-selective analogue of tianeptine, but not tianeptine itself, increased histone acetylation, and enhanced CREB-mediated transcription and the expression of Arc (activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein). Systemic in vivo administration of tianeptinaline to mice confirmed its brain penetration and was found to enhance contextual fear conditioning, a behavioral test of hippocampal-dependent memory. Tianeptinaline and its derivatives provide new pharmacological tools to dissect chromatin-mediated neuroplasticity underlying memory and other epigenetically related processes implicated in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ning Zhao
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Marshall Tyler
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Nadine F. Joseph
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nina Kosaric
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Daniel M. Fass
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
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28
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Fenoglio C, Scarpini E, Galimberti D. Epigenetic regulatory modifications in genetic and sporadic frontotemporal dementia. Expert Rev Neurother 2018; 18:469-475. [PMID: 29799291 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2018.1481389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epigenetic modifications have recently been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which represents the second most common form of dementia in adulthood after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epigenetic regulation occurs at different cellular levels and serve as a way to alter genetic information not only in aging but also following environmental signals. Thus, epigenetics mechanisms could exert their function at early stage of the disease, especially in sporadic cases. Areas covered: Herein, the available evidence supporting the concept that epigenetic-driven changes might shed the light into the pathogenic mechanisms of FTD will be summarized, with particular regard to their influence in underlying sporadic/familiar FTD onset and/or severity, and to the possibility to open a new scenario to facilitate early diagnosis and the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Bibliographic search through PubMed was used to find the studies included in this review. Expert commentary: Although epigenetic investigation in neurodegenerative disorders is in its infancy, recent advances in the technology of epigenetic change determination has led to novel, challenging findings. In particular, the knowledge and the characterization of epigenetic events could result in novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fenoglio
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit , University of Milan, Dino Ferrari Center, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
| | - Elio Scarpini
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit , University of Milan, Dino Ferrari Center, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- a Neurodegenerative Disease Unit , University of Milan, Dino Ferrari Center, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
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29
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Cohen-Khait R, Schreiber G. Selecting for Fast Protein-Protein Association As Demonstrated on a Random TEM1 Yeast Library Binding BLIP. Biochemistry 2018; 57:4644-4650. [PMID: 29671590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions mediate the vast majority of cellular processes. Though protein interactions obey basic chemical principles also within the cell, the in vivo physiological environment may not allow for equilibrium to be reached. Thus, in vitro measured thermodynamic affinity may not provide a complete picture of protein interactions in the biological context. Binding kinetics composed of the association and dissociation rate constants are relevant and important in the cell. Therefore, changes in protein-protein interaction kinetics have a significant impact on the in vivo activity of the proteins. The common protocol for the selection of tighter binders from a mutant library selects for protein complexes with slower dissociation rate constants. Here we describe a method to specifically select for variants with faster association rate constants by using pre-equilibrium selection, starting from a large random library. Toward this end, we refine the selection conditions of a TEM1-β-lactamase library against its natural nanomolar affinity binder β-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP). The optimal selection conditions depend on the ligand concentration and on the incubation time. In addition, we show that a second sort of the library helps to separate signal from noise, resulting in a higher percent of faster binders in the selected library. Fast associating protein variants are of particular interest for drug development and other biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Cohen-Khait
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences , Weizmann Institute of Science , 76100 Rehovot , Israel
| | - Gideon Schreiber
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences , Weizmann Institute of Science , 76100 Rehovot , Israel
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30
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Wang H, Guo R, Du Z, Bai L, Li L, Cui J, Li W, Hoffman AR, Hu JF. Epigenetic Targeting of Granulin in Hepatoma Cells by Synthetic CRISPR dCas9 Epi-suppressors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 11:23-33. [PMID: 29858058 PMCID: PMC5849805 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR-associated Cas9 system can modulate disease-causing alleles both in vivo and ex vivo, raising the possibility of therapeutic genome editing. In addition to gene targeting, epigenetic modulation by the catalytically inactive dCas9 may also be a potential form of cancer therapy. Granulin (GRN), a potent pluripotent mitogen and growth factor that promotes cancer progression by maintaining self-renewal of hepatic stem cancer cells, is upregulated in hepatoma tissues and is associated with decreased tumor survival in patients with hepatoma. We synthesized a group of dCas9 epi-suppressors to target GRN by tethering the C terminus of dCas9 with three epigenetic suppressor genes: DNMT3a (DNA methyltransferase), EZH2 (histone 3 lysine 27 methyltransferase), and KRAB (the Krüppel-associated box transcriptional repression domain). In conjunction with guide RNAs (gRNAs), the dCas9 epi-suppressors caused significant decreases in GRN mRNA abundance in Hep3B hepatoma cells. These dCas9 epi-suppressors initiated de novo CpG DNA methylation in the GRN promoter, and they produced histone codes that favor gene suppression, including decreased H3K4 methylation, increased H3K9 methylation, and enhanced HP1a binding. Epigenetic knockdown of GRN led to the inhibition of cell proliferation, decreased tumor sphere formation, and reduced cell invasion. These changes were achieved at least partially through the MMP/TIMP pathway. This study thus demonstrates the potential utility of using dCas9 epi-suppressors in the development of epigenetic targeting against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China; VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Rui Guo
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China; VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Zhonghua Du
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling Bai
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lingyu Li
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Andrew R Hoffman
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
| | - Ji-Fan Hu
- Stem Cell and Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China; VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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31
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Kitir B, Maolanon AR, Ohm RG, Colaço AR, Fristrup P, Madsen AS, Olsen CA. Chemical Editing of Macrocyclic Natural Products and Kinetic Profiling Reveal Slow, Tight-Binding Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Picomolar Affinities. Biochemistry 2017; 56:5134-5146. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Betül Kitir
- Center
for Biopharmaceuticals and Department for Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alex R. Maolanon
- Center
for Biopharmaceuticals and Department for Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ragnhild G. Ohm
- Center
for Biopharmaceuticals and Department for Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ana R. Colaço
- Department
of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens
Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fristrup
- Department
of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens
Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas S. Madsen
- Center
for Biopharmaceuticals and Department for Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian A. Olsen
- Center
for Biopharmaceuticals and Department for Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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