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Ciuro M, Sangiorgio M, Cacciato V, Cantone G, Fichera C, Salvatorelli L, Magro G, Leanza G, Vecchio M, Valle MS, Gulino R. Mitigating the Functional Deficit after Neurotoxic Motoneuronal Loss by an Inhibitor of Mitochondrial Fission. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7059. [PMID: 39000168 PMCID: PMC11241433 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an extremely complex neurodegenerative disease involving different cell types, but motoneuronal loss represents its main pathological feature. Moreover, compensatory plastic changes taking place in parallel to neurodegeneration are likely to affect the timing of ALS onset and progression and, interestingly, they might represent a promising target for disease-modifying treatments. Therefore, a simplified animal model mimicking motoneuronal loss without the other pathological aspects of ALS has been established by means of intramuscular injection of cholera toxin-B saporin (CTB-Sap), which is a targeted neurotoxin able to kill motoneurons by retrograde suicide transport. Previous studies employing the mouse CTB-Sap model have proven that spontaneous motor recovery is possible after a subtotal removal of a spinal motoneuronal pool. Although these kinds of plastic changes are not enough to counteract the functional effects of the progressive motoneuron degeneration, it would nevertheless represent a promising target for treatments aiming to postpone ALS onset and/or delay disease progression. Herein, the mouse CTB-Sap model has been used to test the efficacy of mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) as a tool to counteract the CTB-Sap toxicity and/or to promote neuroplasticity. The homeostasis of mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics is indeed important for cell integrity, and it could be affected during neurodegeneration. Lesioned mice were treated with Mdivi-1 and then examined by a series of behavioral test and histological analyses. The results have shown that the drug may be capable of reducing functional deficits after the lesion and promoting synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection, thus representing a putative translational approach for motoneuron disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ciuro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Maria Sangiorgio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Valeria Cacciato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Giuliano Cantone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Carlo Fichera
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Lucia Salvatorelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Gaetano Magro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Giampiero Leanza
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Michele Vecchio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Maria Stella Valle
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
| | - Rosario Gulino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.F.); (M.V.); (M.S.V.)
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Vaglio-Garro A, Kozlov AV, Smirnova YD, Weidinger A. Pathological Interplay between Inflammation and Mitochondria Aggravates Glutamate Toxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2276. [PMID: 38396952 PMCID: PMC10889519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042276] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and glutamate toxicity are associated with neural disorders, including brain trauma. A review of the literature suggests that toxic and transmission actions of neuronal glutamate are spatially and functionally separated. The transmission pathway utilizes synaptic GluN2A receptors, rapidly released pool of glutamate, evoked release of glutamate mediated by Synaptotagmin 1 and the amount of extracellular glutamate regulated by astrocytes. The toxic pathway utilizes extrasynaptic GluN2B receptors and a cytoplasmic pool of glutamate, which results from the spontaneous release of glutamate mediated by Synaptotagmin 7 and the neuronal 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHC), a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme. Additionally, the inhibition of OGDHC observed upon neuro-inflammation is due to an excessive release of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species by immune cells. The loss of OGDHC inhibits uptake of glutamate by mitochondria, thus facilitating its extracellular accumulation and stimulating toxic glutamate pathway without affecting transmission. High levels of extracellular glutamate lead to dysregulation of intracellular redox homeostasis and cause ferroptosis, excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The latter affects the transmission pathway demanding high-energy supply and leading to cell death. Mitochondria aggravate glutamate toxicity due to impairments in the TCA cycle and become a victim of glutamate toxicity, which disrupts oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, therapies targeting the TCA cycle in neurological disorders may be more efficient than attempting to preserve mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Vaglio-Garro
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (A.V.-G.); (Y.D.S.); (A.W.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrey V. Kozlov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (A.V.-G.); (Y.D.S.); (A.W.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuliya D. Smirnova
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (A.V.-G.); (Y.D.S.); (A.W.)
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Adelheid Weidinger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (A.V.-G.); (Y.D.S.); (A.W.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
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3
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Guo K, Figueroa-Romero C, Noureldein MH, Murdock BJ, Savelieff MG, Hur J, Goutman SA, Feldman EL. Gut microbiome correlates with plasma lipids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024; 147:665-679. [PMID: 37721161 PMCID: PMC10834248 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad306] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex, fatal neurodegenerative disease. Disease pathophysiology is incompletely understood but evidence suggests gut dysbiosis occurs in ALS, linked to impaired gastrointestinal integrity, immune system dysregulation and altered metabolism. Gut microbiome and plasma metabolome have been separately investigated in ALS, but little is known about gut microbe-plasma metabolite correlations, which could identify robust disease biomarkers and potentially shed mechanistic insight. Here, gut microbiome changes were longitudinally profiled in ALS and correlated to plasma metabolome. Gut microbial structure at the phylum level differed in ALS versus control participants, with differential abundance of several distinct genera. Unsupervised clustering of microbe and metabolite levels identified modules, which differed significantly in ALS versus control participants. Network analysis found several prominent amplicon sequence variants strongly linked to a group of metabolites, primarily lipids. Similarly, identifying the features that contributed most to case versus control separation pinpointed several bacteria correlated to metabolites, predominantly lipids. Mendelian randomization indicated possible causality from specific lipids related to fatty acid and acylcarnitine metabolism. Overall, the results suggest ALS cases and controls differ in their gut microbiome, which correlates with plasma metabolites, particularly lipids, through specific genera. These findings have the potential to identify robust disease biomarkers and shed mechanistic insight into ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Guo
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Claudia Figueroa-Romero
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mohamed H Noureldein
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Benjamin J Murdock
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Provenzano F, Torazza C, Bonifacino T, Bonanno G, Milanese M. The Key Role of Astrocytes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Their Commitment to Glutamate Excitotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15430. [PMID: 37895110 PMCID: PMC10607805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, there has been increasing evidence supporting non-neuronal cells as active contributors to neurodegenerative disorders. Among glial cells, astrocytes play a pivotal role in driving amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression, leading the scientific community to focus on the "astrocytic signature" in ALS. Here, we summarized the main pathological mechanisms characterizing astrocyte contribution to MN damage and ALS progression, such as neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, energy metabolism impairment, miRNAs and extracellular vesicles contribution, autophagy dysfunction, protein misfolding, and altered neurotrophic factor release. Since glutamate excitotoxicity is one of the most relevant ALS features, we focused on the specific contribution of ALS astrocytes in this aspect, highlighting the known or potential molecular mechanisms by which astrocytes participate in increasing the extracellular glutamate level in ALS and, conversely, undergo the toxic effect of the excessive glutamate. In this scenario, astrocytes can behave as "producers" and "targets" of the high extracellular glutamate levels, going through changes that can affect themselves and, in turn, the neuronal and non-neuronal surrounding cells, thus actively impacting the ALS course. Moreover, this review aims to point out knowledge gaps that deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Provenzano
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16148 Genova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.T.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16148 Genova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.T.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16148 Genova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.T.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16148 Genova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.T.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), University of Genoa, 16148 Genova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.T.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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5
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Ianiro G, D'Ezio V, Carpinelli L, Casella C, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Rosa L, Valenti P, Colasanti M, Musci G, Cutone A, Persichini T. Iron Saturation Drives Lactoferrin Effects on Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity Induced by HIV-1 Tat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097947. [PMID: 37175651 PMCID: PMC10178013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Trans-Activator of Transcription (Tat) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) is involved in virus replication and infection and can promote oxidative stress in human astroglial cells. In response, host cells activate transcription of antioxidant genes, including a subunit of System Xc- cystine/glutamate antiporter which, in turn, can trigger glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Here, we present data on the efficacy of bovine Lactoferrin (bLf), both in its native (Nat-bLf) and iron-saturated (Holo-bLf) forms, in counteracting oxidative stress in U373 human astroglial cells constitutively expressing the viral protein (U373-Tat). Our results show that, dependent on iron saturation, both Nat-bLf and Holo-bLf can boost host antioxidant response by up-regulating System Xc- and the cell iron exporter Ferroportin via the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway, thus reducing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-mediated lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in astrocytes. In U373-Tat cells, both forms of bLf restore the physiological internalization of Transferrin (Tf) Receptor 1, the molecular gate for Tf-bound iron uptake. The involvement of astrocytic antioxidant response in Tat-mediated neurotoxicity was evaluated in co-cultures of U373-Tat with human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. The results show that the Holo-bLf exacerbates Tat-induced excitotoxicity on SH-SY5Y, which is directly dependent on System-Xc- upregulation, thus highlighting the mechanistic role of iron in the biological activities of the glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Ianiro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Veronica D'Ezio
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cecilia Casella
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Colasanti
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
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6
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Satarker S, Bojja SL, Gurram PC, Mudgal J, Arora D, Nampoothiri M. Astrocytic Glutamatergic Transmission and Its Implications in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071139. [PMID: 35406702 PMCID: PMC8997779 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurodegenerative disorders involve impaired neurotransmission, and glutamatergic neurotransmission sets a prototypical example. Glutamate is a predominant excitatory neurotransmitter where the astrocytes play a pivotal role in maintaining the extracellular levels through release and uptake mechanisms. Astrocytes modulate calcium-mediated excitability and release several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, including glutamate, and significantly modulate neurotransmission. Accumulating evidence supports the concept of excitotoxicity caused by astrocytic glutamatergic release in pathological conditions. Thus, the current review highlights different vesicular and non-vesicular mechanisms of astrocytic glutamate release and their implication in neurodegenerative diseases. As in presynaptic neurons, the vesicular release of astrocytic glutamate is also primarily meditated by calcium-mediated exocytosis. V-ATPase is crucial in the acidification and maintenance of the gradient that facilitates the vesicular storage of glutamate. Along with these, several other components, such as cystine/glutamate antiporter, hemichannels, BEST-1, TREK-1, purinergic receptors and so forth, also contribute to glutamate release under physiological and pathological conditions. Events of hampered glutamate uptake could promote inflamed astrocytes to trigger repetitive release of glutamate. This could be favorable towards the development and worsening of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, across neurodegenerative diseases, we review the relations between defective glutamatergic signaling and astrocytic vesicular and non-vesicular events in glutamate homeostasis. The optimum regulation of astrocytic glutamatergic transmission could pave the way for the management of these diseases and add to their therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sairaj Satarker
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Sree Lalitha Bojja
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Prasada Chowdari Gurram
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
| | - Devinder Arora
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia;
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (S.S.); (S.L.B.); (P.C.G.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Beckers P, Lara O, Belo do Nascimento I, Desmet N, Massie A, Hermans E. Validation of a System xc– Functional Assay in Cultured Astrocytes and Nervous Tissue Samples. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:815771. [PMID: 35095428 PMCID: PMC8793334 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.815771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the glutamatergic homeostasis is commonly observed in neurological diseases and has been frequently correlated with the altered expression and/or function of astrocytic high-affinity glutamate transporters. There is, however, a growing interest for the role of the cystine-glutamate exchanger system xc– in controlling glutamate transmission. This exchanger is predominantly expressed in glial cells, especially in microglia and astrocytes, and its dysregulation has been documented in diverse neurological conditions. While most studies have focused on measuring the expression of its specific subunit xCT by RT-qPCR or by Western blotting, the activity of this exchanger in tissue samples remains poorly examined. Indeed, the reported use of sulfur- and carbon-radiolabeled cystine in uptake assays shows several drawbacks related to its short radioactive half-life and its relatively high cost. We here report on the elaborate validation of a method using tritiated glutamate as a substrate for the reversed transport mediated by system xc–. The uptake assay was validated in primary cultured astrocytes, in transfected cells as well as in crude synaptosomes obtained from fresh nervous tissue samples. Working in buffers containing defined concentrations of Na+, allowed us to differentiate the glutamate uptake supported by system xc– or by high-affinity glutamate transporters, as confirmed by using selective pharmacological inhibitors. The specificity was further demonstrated in primary astrocyte cultures from transgenic mice lacking xCT or in cell lines where xCT expression was genetically induced or reduced. As such, this assay appears to be a robust and cost-efficient solution to investigate the activity of this exchanger in physiological and pathological conditions. It also provides a reliable tool for the screening and characterization of new system xc– inhibitors which have been frequently cited as valuable drugs for nervous disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Beckers
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olaya Lara
- Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ines Belo do Nascimento
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Desmet
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann Massie
- Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Hermans
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Emmanuel Hermans,
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Glutathione in the Nervous System as a Potential Therapeutic Target to Control the Development and Progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071011. [PMID: 34201812 PMCID: PMC8300718 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disorder that affects the motor neurons responsible for regulating muscle movement. However, the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of ALS remain poorly understood. A deficiency in the antioxidant tripeptide glutathione (GSH) in the nervous system appears to be involved in several neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the loss of neuronal cells. Impaired antioxidant defense systems, and the accumulation of oxidative damage due to increased dysfunction in GSH homeostasis are known to be involved in the development and progression of ALS. Aberrant GSH metabolism and redox status following oxidative damage are also associated with various cellular organelles, including the mitochondria and nucleus, and are crucial factors in neuronal toxicity induced by ALS. In this review, we provide an overview of the implications of imbalanced GSH homeostasis and its molecular characteristics in various experimental models of ALS.
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9
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Vicario N, Spitale FM, Tibullo D, Giallongo C, Amorini AM, Scandura G, Spoto G, Saab MW, D'Aprile S, Alberghina C, Mangione R, Bernstock JD, Botta C, Gulisano M, Buratti E, Leanza G, Zorec R, Vecchio M, Di Rosa M, Li Volti G, Lazzarino G, Parenti R, Gulino R. Clobetasol promotes neuromuscular plasticity in mice after motoneuronal loss via sonic hedgehog signaling, immunomodulation and metabolic rebalancing. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:625. [PMID: 34135312 PMCID: PMC8209072 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03907-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Motoneuronal loss is the main feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although pathogenesis is extremely complex involving both neural and muscle cells. In order to translationally engage the sonic hedgehog pathway, which is a promising target for neural regeneration, recent studies have reported on the neuroprotective effects of clobetasol, an FDA-approved glucocorticoid, able to activate this pathway via smoothened. Herein we sought to examine functional, cellular, and metabolic effects of clobetasol in a neurotoxic mouse model of spinal motoneuronal loss. We found that clobetasol reduces muscle denervation and motor impairments in part by restoring sonic hedgehog signaling and supporting spinal plasticity. These effects were coupled with reduced pro-inflammatory microglia and reactive astrogliosis, reduced muscle atrophy, and support of mitochondrial integrity and metabolism. Our results suggest that clobetasol stimulates a series of compensatory processes and therefore represents a translational approach for intractable denervating and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Vicario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre - IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Federica M Spitale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Cesarina Giallongo
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Angela M Amorini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Grazia Scandura
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Graziana Spoto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Miriam W Saab
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Simona D'Aprile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Cristiana Alberghina
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Renata Mangione
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of Rome, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Joshua D Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Cirino Botta
- Hematology Unit, Annunziata Hospital, 87100, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Massimo Gulisano
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre - IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giampiero Leanza
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre - IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Michele Vecchio
- Rehabilitation Unit, AOU Policlinico G. Rodolico, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences,Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Michelino Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre - IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosario Gulino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre - IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.
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10
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Kazama M, Kato Y, Kakita A, Noguchi N, Urano Y, Masui K, Niida-Kawaguchi M, Yamamoto T, Watabe K, Kitagawa K, Shibata N. Astrocytes release glutamate via cystine/glutamate antiporter upregulated in response to increased oxidative stress related to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropathology 2020; 40:587-598. [PMID: 33305472 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A vast body of evidence implicates increased oxidative stress and extracellular glutamate accumulation in the pathomechanism of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) carries extracellular cystine uptake and intracellular glutamate release (cystine/glutamate exchange) in the presence of oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to determine the involvement of xCT in ALS. Immunohistochemical observations in the spinal cord sections demonstrated that xCT was mainly expressed in astrocytes, with staining more intense in 12 sporadic ALS patients as compared to 12 age-matched control individuals. Western blot and densitometric analyses of the spinal cord samples revealed that the relative value of xCT/β-actin optical density ratio was significantly higher in the ALS group as compared to the control group. Next, we conducted cell culture experiments using a human astrocytoma-derived cell line (1321N1) and a mouse motor neuron/neuroblastoma hybrid cell line (NSC34). In 1321N1 cells, the normalized xCT expression levels in cell lysates were significantly increased by H2 O2 treatment. Glutamate concentrations in 1321 N1 cell culture-conditioned media were significantly elevated by H2 O2 treatment, and the H2 O2 -driven elevations were completely canceled by the xCT inhibitor erastin pretreatment. In motor neuron-differentiated NSC34 cells (NSC34d cells), both the normalized xCT expression levels in the cell lysates and glutamate concentrations in the cell-conditioned media were constant with or without H2 O2 treatment. The present results provide in vivo and in vitro evidence that astrocytes upregulate xCT expression to release glutamate in response to increased oxidative stress associated with ALS, contributing to extracellular glutamate accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miku Kazama
- Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kato
- Division of Pathological Neuroscience, Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Noriko Noguchi
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Yasuomi Urano
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Kenta Masui
- Division of Pathological Neuroscience, Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoko Niida-Kawaguchi
- Division of Pathological Neuroscience, Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamamoto
- Division of Pathological Neuroscience, Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Watabe
- Department of Medical Technology, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kitagawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Shibata
- Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Chen Q, Konrad C, Sandhu D, Roychoudhury D, Schwartz BI, Cheng RR, Bredvik K, Kawamata H, Calder EL, Studer L, Fischer SM, Manfredi G, Gross SS. Accelerated transsulfuration metabolically defines a discrete subclass of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 144:105025. [PMID: 32745521 PMCID: PMC7491150 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease characterized by progressive paralysis and death. Most ALS-cases are sporadic (sALS) and patient heterogeneity poses challenges for effective therapies. Applying metabolite profiling on 77-sALS patient-derived-fibroblasts and 43-controls, we found ~25% of sALS cases (termed sALS-1) are characterized by transsulfuration pathway upregulation, where methionine-derived-homocysteine is channeled into cysteine for glutathione synthesis. sALS-1 fibroblasts selectively exhibited a growth defect under oxidative conditions, fully-rescued by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). [U–13C]-glucose tracing showed transsulfuration pathway activation with accelerated glucose flux into the Krebs cycle. We established a four-metabolite support vector machine model predicting sALS-1 metabotype with 97.5% accuracy. Both sALS-1 metabotype and growth phenotype were validated in an independent cohort of sALS cases. Importantly, plasma metabolite profiling identified a system-wide cysteine metabolism perturbation as a hallmark of sALS-1. Findings reveal that sALS patients can be stratified into distinct metabotypes with differential sensitivity to metabolic stress, providing novel insights for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Csaba Konrad
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Davinder Sandhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Roger R Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirsten Bredvik
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hibiki Kawamata
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Calder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Steven S Gross
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Jordan K, Murphy J, Singh A, Mitchell CS. Astrocyte-Mediated Neuromodulatory Regulation in Preclinical ALS: A Metadata Analysis. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:491. [PMID: 30618638 PMCID: PMC6305074 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degradation of motoneurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are key regulators for inflammation and neuromodulatory signaling, both of which contribute to ALS. The study goal was to ascertain potential temporal changes in astrocyte-mediated neuromodulatory regulation with transgenic ALS model progression: glutamate, GTL-1, GluR1, GluR2, GABA, ChAT activity, VGF, TNFα, aspartate, and IGF-1. We examine neuromodulatory changes in data aggregates from 42 peer-reviewed studies derived from transgenic ALS mixed cell cultures (neurons + astrocytes). For each corresponding experimental time point, the ratio of transgenic to wild type (WT) was found for each compound. ANOVA and a student's t-test were performed to compare disease stages (early, post-onset, and end stage). Glutamate in transgenic SOD1-G93A mixed cell cultures does not change over time (p > 0.05). GLT-1 levels were found to be decreased 23% over WT but only at end-stage (p < 0.05). Glutamate receptors (GluR1, GluR2) in SOD1-G93A were not substantially different from WT, although SOD1-G93A GluR1 decreased by 21% from post-onset to end-stage (p < 0.05). ChAT activity was insignificantly decreased. VGF is decreased throughout ALS (p < 0.05). Aspartate is elevated by 25% in SOD1-G93A but only during end-stage (p < 0.05). TNFα is increased by a dramatic 362% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, principal component analysis identified TNFα as contributing to 55% of the data variance in the first component. Thus, TNFα, which modulates astrocyte regulation via multiple pathways, could be a strategic treatment target. Overall results suggest changes in neuromodulator levels are subtle in SOD1-G93A ALS mixed cell cultures. If excitotoxicity is present as is often presumed, it could be due to ALS cells being more sensitive to small changes in neuromodulation. Hence, seemingly unsubstantial or oscillatory changes in neuromodulators could wreak havoc in ALS cells, resulting in failed microenvironment homeostasis whereby both hyperexcitability and hypoexcitability can coexist. Future work is needed to examine local, spatiotemporal neuromodulatory homeostasis and assess its functional impact in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Jordan
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph Murphy
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Anjanya Singh
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Cassie S. Mitchell
- Laboratory for Pathology Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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13
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Nrf2-Mediated System x c- Activation in Astroglial Cells Is Involved in HIV-1 Tat-Induced Neurotoxicity. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3796-3806. [PMID: 30209772 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1343-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) affect a large part of HIV-infected patients, despite highly active antiretroviral therapy. HANDs occur in the absence of a direct infection of neurons. Nevertheless, viral proteins (e.g., Tat) are capable to cause neuronal dysfunction via oxidative stress, but the cellular pathways leading to HANDs are not yet fully defined. Here, we investigated the effects of Tat on Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response and system xc- expression in U373 human astroglial cells. Moreover, the effect of Tat-producing astrocytes on neuronal cell viability was assessed using SH-SY5Y cells as a culture model. We demonstrated that Tat produced by astrocytes was able to induce Nrf2 activation and system xc- expression in astrocytes, thus reducing cell viability of co-cultured neuronal cells. Furthermore, sulfasalazine, a specific system xc- inhibitor, was able to reduce extracellular glutamate and to prevent the reduction of neuronal viability, thus demonstrating that the neurotoxic effect was dependent on an increased glutamate release through the transporter. Our findings provide evidence of the involvement of astroglial Nrf2/system xc- pathway in the neurotoxicity induced by HIV-1 Tat protein, thereby suggesting how astrocytes may exacerbate neurodegeneration through the conversion of an antioxidant response to excitotoxicity.
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14
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McBean GJ, López MG, Wallner FK. Redox-based therapeutics in neurodegenerative disease. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:1750-1770. [PMID: 27477685 PMCID: PMC5446580 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review describes recent developments in the search for effective therapeutic agents that target redox homeostasis in neurodegenerative disease. The disruption to thiol redox homeostasis in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis is discussed, together with the experimental strategies that are aimed at preventing, or at least minimizing, oxidative damage in these diseases. Particular attention is given to the potential of increasing antioxidant capacity by targeting the Nrf2 pathway, the development of inhibitors of NADPH oxidases that are likely candidates for clinical use, together with strategies to reduce nitrosative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We describe the shortcomings of compounds that hinder their progression to the clinic and evaluate likely avenues for future research. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Redox Biology and Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.12/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J McBean
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway InstituteUniversity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - M G López
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, School of MedicineUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - F K Wallner
- Redoxis ABSweden and University of SkövdeSkövdeSweden
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15
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Albano R, Lobner D. Transport of BMAA into Neurons and Astrocytes by System x c. Neurotox Res 2017; 33:1-5. [PMID: 28470569 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The study of the mechanism of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) neurotoxicity originally focused on its effects at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In recent years, it has become clear that its mechanism of action is more complicated. First, there are certain cell types, such as motor neurons and cholinergic neurons, where the dominate mechanism of toxicity is through action at AMPA receptors. Second, even in cortical neurons where the primary mechanism of toxicity appears to be activation of NMDA receptors, there are other mechanisms involved. We found that along with NMDA receptors, activation of mGLuR5 receptors and effects on the cystine/glutamate antiporter (system xc-) were involved in the toxicity. The effects on system xc- are of particular interest. System xc- mediates the transport of cystine into the cell in exchange for releasing glutamate into the extracellular fluid. By releasing glutamate, system xc- can potentially cause excitotoxicity. However, through providing cystine to the cell, it regulates the levels of cellular glutathione (GSH), the main endogenous intracellular antioxidant, and in this way may protect cells against oxidative stress. We have previously published that BMAA inhibits cystine uptake leading to GSH depletion and had indirect evidence that BMAA is transported into the cells by system xc-. We now present direct evidence that BMAA is transported into both astrocytes and neurons through system xc-. The fact that BMAA is transported by system xc- also provides a mechanism for BMAA to enter brain cells potentially leading to misincorporation into proteins and protein misfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Albano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 561 N. 15th Street, Rm 426, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Doug Lobner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 561 N. 15th Street, Rm 426, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
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16
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Lewerenz J, Maher P. Chronic Glutamate Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases-What is the Evidence? Front Neurosci 2015; 9:469. [PMID: 26733784 PMCID: PMC4679930 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with aspartate, glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate binds and activates both ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic glutamate receptors) and a class of G-protein coupled receptors (metabotropic glutamate receptors). Although the intracellular glutamate concentration in the brain is in the millimolar range, the extracellular glutamate concentration is kept in the low micromolar range by the action of excitatory amino acid transporters that import glutamate and aspartate into astrocytes and neurons. Excess extracellular glutamate may lead to excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo in acute insults like ischemic stroke via the overactivation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. In addition, chronic excitotoxicity has been hypothesized to play a role in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Based on this hypothesis, a good deal of effort has been devoted to develop and test drugs that either inhibit glutamate receptors or decrease extracellular glutamate. In this review, we provide an overview of the different pathways that are thought to lead to an over-activation of the glutamatergic system and glutamate toxicity in neurodegeneration. In addition, we summarize the available experimental evidence for glutamate toxicity in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Pamela Maher
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa Jolla, CA, USA
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17
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Massie A, Boillée S, Hewett S, Knackstedt L, Lewerenz J. Main path and byways: non-vesicular glutamate release by system xc(-) as an important modifier of glutamatergic neurotransmission. J Neurochem 2015; 135:1062-79. [PMID: 26336934 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
System xc(-) is a cystine/glutamate antiporter that exchanges extracellular cystine for intracellular glutamate. Cystine is intracellularly reduced to cysteine, a building block of GSH. As such, system xc(-) can regulate the antioxidant capacity of cells. Moreover, in several brain regions, system xc(-) is the major source of extracellular glutamate. As such this antiporter is able to fulfill key physiological functions in the CNS, while evidence indicates it also plays a role in certain brain pathologies. Since the transcription of xCT, the specific subunit of system xc(-), is enhanced by the presence of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines, system xc(-) could be involved in toxic extracellular glutamate release in neurological disorders that are associated with increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. System xc(-) has also been reported to contribute to the invasiveness of brain tumors and, as a source of extracellular glutamate, could participate in the induction of peritumoral seizures. Two independent reviews (Pharmacol. Rev. 64, 2012, 780; Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18, 2013, 522), approached from a different perspective, have recently been published on the functions of system xc(-) in the CNS. In this review, we highlight novel achievements and insights covering the regulation of system xc(-) as well as its involvement in emotional behavior, cognition, addiction, neurological disorders and glioblastomas, acquired in the past few years. System xc(-) constitutes an important source of extrasynaptic glutamate in the brain. By modulating the tone of extrasynaptic metabotropic or ionotropic glutamate receptors, it affects excitatory neurotransmission, the threshold for overexcitation and excitotoxicity and, as a consequence, behavior. This review describes the current knowledge of how system xc(-) is regulated and involved in physiological as well as pathophysiological brain functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Massie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Séverine Boillée
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Hewett
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Lori Knackstedt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Oberer Eselsberg 45, Ulm, Germany
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18
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Regulation of System xc(-) by Pharmacological Manipulation of Cellular Thiols. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2015; 2015:269371. [PMID: 25949770 PMCID: PMC4407525 DOI: 10.1155/2015/269371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The cystine/glutamate exchanger (system xc (-)) mediates the transport of cystine into the cell in exchange for glutamate. By releasing glutamate, system xc (-) can potentially cause excitotoxicity. However, through providing cystine to the cell, it regulates the levels of cellular glutathione (GSH), the main endogenous intracellular antioxidant, and may protect cells against oxidative stress. We tested two different compounds that deplete primary cortical cultures containing both neurons and astrocytes of intracellular GSH, L-buthionine-sulfoximine (L-BSO), and diethyl maleate (DEM). Both compounds caused significant concentration and time dependent decreases in intracellular GSH levels. However; DEM caused an increase in radiolabeled cystine uptake through system xc (-), while unexpectedly BSO caused a decrease in uptake. The compounds caused similar low levels of neurotoxicity, while only BSO caused an increase in oxidative stress. The mechanism of GSH depletion by these two compounds is different, DEM directly conjugates to GSH, while BSO inhibits γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, a key enzyme in GSH synthesis. As would be expected from these mechanisms of action, DEM caused a decrease in intracellular cysteine, while BSO increased cysteine levels. The results suggest that negative feedback by intracellular cysteine is an important regulator of system xc (-) in this culture system.
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19
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Mesci P, Zaïdi S, Lobsiger CS, Millecamps S, Escartin C, Seilhean D, Sato H, Mallat M, Boillée S. System xC- is a mediator of microglial function and its deletion slows symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 138:53-68. [PMID: 25384799 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awu312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease and evidence from mice expressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-causing SOD1 mutations suggest that neurodegeneration is a non-cell autonomous process where microglial cells influence disease progression. However, microglial-derived neurotoxic factors still remain largely unidentified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. With excitotoxicity being a major mechanism proposed to cause motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, our hypothesis was that excessive glutamate release by activated microglia through their system [Formula: see text] (a cystine/glutamate antiporter with the specific subunit xCT/Slc7a11) could contribute to neurodegeneration. Here we show that xCT expression is enriched in microglia compared to total mouse spinal cord and absent from motor neurons. Activated microglia induced xCT expression and during disease, xCT levels were increased in both spinal cord and isolated microglia from mutant SOD1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Expression of xCT was also detectable in spinal cord post-mortem tissues of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and correlated with increased inflammation. Genetic deletion of xCT in mice demonstrated that activated microglia released glutamate mainly through system [Formula: see text]. Interestingly, xCT deletion also led to decreased production of specific microglial pro-inflammatory/neurotoxic factors including nitric oxide, TNFa and IL6, whereas expression of anti-inflammatory/neuroprotective markers such as Ym1/Chil3 were increased, indicating that xCT regulates microglial functions. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice, xCT deletion surprisingly led to earlier symptom onset but, importantly, this was followed by a significantly slowed progressive disease phase, which resulted in more surviving motor neurons. These results are consistent with a deleterious contribution of microglial-derived glutamate during symptomatic disease. Therefore, we show that system [Formula: see text] participates in microglial reactivity and modulates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis motor neuron degeneration, revealing system [Formula: see text] inactivation, as a potential approach to slow amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease progression after onset of clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Mesci
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Sakina Zaïdi
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Christian S Lobsiger
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Millecamps
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Carole Escartin
- 2 CEA, DSV, I2BM, MIRCen and CNRS URA2210, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Danielle Seilhean
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Hideyo Sato
- 3 Department of Food and Applied Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Michel Mallat
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Séverine Boillée
- 1 Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
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