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Carniglia L, Turati J, Saba J, López Couselo F, Romero AC, Caruso C, Durand D, Lasaga M. Melanocortin-receptor 4 activation modulates proliferation and differentiation of rat postnatal hippocampal neural precursor cells. Neuropharmacology 2024; 257:110058. [PMID: 38960135 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110058] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis is essential for learning and memory. Hippocampal neural precursor cells (NPCs) can be induced to proliferate and differentiate into either glial cells or dentate granule cells. Notably, hippocampal neurogenesis decreases dramatically with age, partly due to a reduction in the NPC pool and a decrease in their proliferative activity. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) improves learning, memory, neuronal survival and plasticity. Here, we used postnatally-isolated hippocampal NPCs from Wistar rat pups (male and female combined) to determine the role of the melanocortin analog [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH (NDP-MSH) in proliferation and fate acquisition of NPCs. Incubation of growth-factor deprived NPCs with 10 nM NDP-MSH for 6 days increased the proportion of Ki-67- and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells, compared to the control group, and these effects were blocked by the MC4R antagonist JKC-363. NDP-MSH also increased the proportion of glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)/Ki-67, GFAP/sex-determining region Y-box2 (SOX2) and neuroepithelial stem cell protein (NESTIN)/Ki-67-double positive cells (type-1 and type-2 precursors). Finally, NDP-MSH induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ protein expression, and co-incubation with the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 prevented the effect of NDP-MSH on NPC proliferation and differentiation. Our results indicate that in vitro activation of MC4R in growth-factor-deprived postnatal hippocampal NPCs induces proliferation and promotes the relative expansion of the type-1 and type-2 NPC pool through a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism. These results shed new light on the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of melanocortins in hippocampal plasticity and provide evidence linking the MC4R and PPAR-γ pathways in modulation of hippocampal NPC proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lila Carniglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Juan Turati
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Saba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico López Couselo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Clara Romero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Paraguay 2155, piso 10, CP 1121, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Strnadová V, Pačesová A, Charvát V, Šmotková Z, Železná B, Kuneš J, Maletínská L. Anorexigenic neuropeptides as anti-obesity and neuroprotective agents: exploring the neuroprotective effects of anorexigenic neuropeptides. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231385. [PMID: 38577975 PMCID: PMC11043025 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231385] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Since 1975, the incidence of obesity has increased to epidemic proportions, and the number of patients with obesity has quadrupled. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing other serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent epidemiologic studies have defined obesity as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia. Despite all these serious comorbidities associated with obesity, there is still a lack of effective antiobesity treatment. Promising candidates for the treatment of obesity are anorexigenic neuropeptides, which are peptides produced by neurons in brain areas implicated in food intake regulation, such as the hypothalamus or the brainstem. These peptides efficiently reduce food intake and body weight. Moreover, because of the proven interconnection between obesity and the risk of developing AD, the potential neuroprotective effects of these two agents in animal models of neurodegeneration have been examined. The objective of this review was to explore anorexigenic neuropeptides produced and acting within the brain, emphasizing their potential not only for the treatment of obesity but also for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Strnadová
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Pačesová
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vilém Charvát
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Šmotková
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Železná
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Kuneš
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Maletínská
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Lu J, Wang J, Ni H, Li B, Yang J, Zhu J, Qian J, Gao R, Xu R. Activation of the melanocortin-1 receptor attenuates neuronal apoptosis after traumatic brain injury by upregulating Merlin expression. Brain Res Bull 2024; 207:110870. [PMID: 38185389 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110870] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common disease worldwide with high mortality and disability rates. Besides the primary mechanical injury, the secondary injury associated with TBI can also induce numerous pathological changes, such as brain edema, nerve apoptosis, and neuroinflammation, which further aggravates neurological dysfunction and even causes the death due to the primary injury. Among them, neuronal apoptosis is a key link in the injury. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a G protein coupled receptor, belonging to the melanocortin receptor family. Studies have shown that activation of MC1R inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis, and confers neuroprotective effects against various neurological diseases. Merlin is a protein product of the NF2 gene, which is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice, rats, and humans. Studies have indicated that Merlin is associated with MC1R. In this study, we explored the anti-apoptotic effects and potential mechanisms of MC1R. A rat model of TBI was established through controlled cortical impact. The MC1R-specific agonist Nle4-D-Phe7-α-Melanocyte (NDP-MSH) and the inhibitor MSG-606 were employed to explore the effects of MC1R and Merlin following TBI and investigated the associated mechanisms. The results showed that the expression levels of MC1R and Merlin were upregulated after TBI, and activation of MC1R promoted Merlin expression. Further, we found that MC1R activation significantly improved neurological dysfunction and reduced brain edema and neuronal apoptosis induced by TBI in rats. Mechanistically, its neuroprotective function and anti-apoptotic were partly associated with MC1R activation. In conclusion, we demonstrated that MC1R activation after TBI may inhibit apoptosis and confer neuroprotection by upregulating the expression of Merlin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqi Lu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haibo Ni
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Qian
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Rong Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Bukatova S, Bacova Z, Osacka J, Bakos J. Mini review of molecules involved in altered postnatal neurogenesis in autism. Int J Neurosci 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37815399 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2269304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The neurobiology of autism is complex, but emerging research points to potential abnormalities and alterations in neurogenesis. The aim of the present review is to describe the advances in the understanding of the role of selected neurotrophins, neuropeptides, and other compounds secreted by neuronal cells in the processes of postnatal neurogenesis in conjunction with autism. We characterize the fundamental mechanisms of neuronal cell proliferation, generation of major neuronal cell types with special emphasis on neurogenic niches - the subventricular zone and hippocampal areas. We also discuss changes in intracellular calcium levels and calcium-dependent transcription factors in the context of the regulation of neurogenesis and cell fate determination. To sum up, this review provides specific insight into the known association between alterations in the function of the entire spectrum of molecules involved in neurogenesis and the etiology of autism pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislava Bukatova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Bacova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Osacka
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Bakos
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Feng Y, Gao C, Xie D, Liu L, Chen B, Liu S, Yang H, Gao Z, Wilson DA, Tu Y, Peng F. Directed Neural Stem Cells Differentiation via Signal Communication with Ni-Zn Micromotors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2301736. [PMID: 37402480 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs), with the capability of self-renewal, differentiation, and environment modulation, are considered promising for stroke, brain injury therapy, and neuron regeneration. Activation of endogenous NSCs, is attracting increasing research enthusiasm, which avoids immune rejection and ethical issues of exogenous cell transplantation. Yet, how to induce directed growth and differentiation in situ remain a major challenge. In this study, a pure water-driven Ni-Zn micromotor via a self-established electric-chemical field is proposed. The micromotors can be magnetically guided and precisely approach target NSCs. Through the electric-chemical field, bioelectrical signal exchange and communication with endogenous NSCs are allowed, thus allowing for regulated proliferation and directed neuron differentiation in vivo. Therefore, the Ni-Zn micromotor provides a platform for controlling cell fate via a self-established electrochemical field and targeted activation of endogenous NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Chao Gao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Dazhi Xie
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Bin Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Suyi Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Haihong Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Zhan Gao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Daniela A Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Yingfeng Tu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Fei Peng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
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Gebrie A. The melanocortin receptor signaling system and its role in neuroprotection against neurodegeneration: Therapeutic insights. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1527:30-41. [PMID: 37526975 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15048] [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] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin signaling system consists of the melanocortin peptides, their distinctive receptors, accessory proteins, and endogenous antagonists. Melanocortin peptides are small peptide hormones that have been studied in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. There are five types of melanocortin receptors, and they are distributed within the central nervous system and in several tissues of the periphery. The G protein-coupled melanocortin receptors typically signal through adenylyl cyclase and other downstream signaling pathways. Depending on the ligand, surface expression of melanocortin receptor, receptor occupancy period, related proteins, the type of cell, and other parameters, the signaling pathways are complicated and pleiotropic. While it is known that all five melanocortin receptors are coupled to Gs, they can also occasionally couple to Gq or Gi. Both direct and indirect neuroprotection are induced by the melanocortin signaling system. Targeting several of the components of the melanocortin signaling system (ligands, receptors, accessory proteins, signaling effectors, and regulators) may provide therapeutic opportunities. Activation of the melanocortin system improves different functional traits in neurodegenerative diseases. There is a potential for additional melanocortin system interventions by interfering with dimerization or dissociation. This review aims to discuss the melanocortin receptor signaling system and its role in neuroprotection, as well as its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gebrie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Makrygianni EA, Chrousos GP. Neural Progenitor Cells and the Hypothalamus. Cells 2023; 12:1822. [PMID: 37508487 PMCID: PMC10378393 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) capable of self-renewing and differentiating into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In the postnatal/adult brain, NPCs are primarily located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles (LVs) and subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). There is evidence that NPCs are also present in the postnatal/adult hypothalamus, a highly conserved brain region involved in the regulation of core homeostatic processes, such as feeding, metabolism, reproduction, neuroendocrine integration and autonomic output. In the rodent postnatal/adult hypothalamus, NPCs mainly comprise different subtypes of tanycytes lining the wall of the 3rd ventricle. In the postnatal/adult human hypothalamus, the neurogenic niche is constituted by tanycytes at the floor of the 3rd ventricle, ependymal cells and ribbon cells (showing a gap-and-ribbon organization similar to that in the SVZ), as well as suprachiasmatic cells. We speculate that in the postnatal/adult human hypothalamus, neurogenesis occurs in a highly complex, exquisitely sophisticated neurogenic niche consisting of at least four subniches; this structure has a key role in the regulation of extrahypothalamic neurogenesis, and hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic neural circuits, partly through the release of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanthia A Makrygianni
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Rinne P, Taylor AW, Montero-Melendez T. Editorial: Melanocortins and melanocortin receptors in the regulation of inflammation: mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226886. [PMID: 37325641 PMCID: PMC10265466 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Petteri Rinne
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology & Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Andrew W Taylor
- Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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Zhou Y, Mowlazadeh Haghighi S, Sawyer JR, Hruby VJ, Cai M. Ψ and χ Angle Constrains at the C-Terminus Trp Position of the Melanotropin Tetrapeptide Ac-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH 2 Lead to Potent and Selective Agonists at hMC1R and hMC4R. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6715-6724. [PMID: 37133411 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortin receptors (MCRs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that regulate important physiological functions. Yet, drug development targeting MCRs is hindered by potential side effects due to a lack of receptor subtype-selective ligands with bioavailability. Here, we report novel synthetic pathways to introduce Ψ and χ angle constraints at the C-terminus Trp position of the nonselective prototype tetrapeptide agonist Ac-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2. With these conformational constraints, peptide 1 (Ac-His-d-Phe-Arg-Aia) shows improved selectivity at hMC1R, with an EC50 of 11.2 nM for hMC1R and at least 15-fold selectivity compared to other MCR subtypes. Peptide 3 (Ac-His-pCF3-d-Phe-Arg-Aia) is a potent and selective hMC4R agonist with an EC50 of 4.1 nM at hMC4R and at least ninefold selectivity. Molecular docking studies reveal that the Ψ and χ angle constraints force the C-terminal Aia residue to flip and interact with TM6 and TM7, a feature that we hypothesize leads to the receptor subtype selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Saghar Mowlazadeh Haghighi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jonathon R Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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Markov DD, Dolotov OV, Grivennikov IA. The Melanocortin System: A Promising Target for the Development of New Antidepressant Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076664. [PMID: 37047638 PMCID: PMC10094937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, causing significant human suffering and socioeconomic loss. Since conventional antidepressants are not sufficiently effective, there is an urgent need to develop new antidepressant medications. Despite marked advances in the neurobiology of depression, the etiology and pathophysiology of this disease remain poorly understood. Classical and newer hypotheses of depression suggest that an imbalance of brain monoamines, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and immune system, or impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors pathways are cause of depression. It is assumed that conventional antidepressants improve these closely related disturbances. The purpose of this review was to discuss the possibility of affecting these disturbances by targeting the melanocortin system, which includes adrenocorticotropic hormone-activated receptors and their peptide ligands (melanocortins). The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of various processes in the brain and periphery. Melanocortins, including peripherally administered non-corticotropic agonists, regulate HPAA activity, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate the levels of neurotrophic factors, and enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotransmission. Therefore, endogenous melanocortins and their analogs are able to complexly affect the functioning of those body’s systems that are closely related to depression and the effects of antidepressants, thereby demonstrating a promising antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii D. Markov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Dolotov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A. Grivennikov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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Daini E, Vandini E, Bodria M, Liao W, Baraldi C, Secco V, Ottani A, Zoli M, Giuliani D, Vilella A. Melanocortin receptor agonist NDP-α-MSH improves cognitive deficits and microgliosis but not amyloidosis in advanced stages of AD progression in 5XFAD and 3xTg mice. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1082036. [PMID: 36703981 PMCID: PMC9871936 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1082036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia and still lacks effective therapy. Clinical signs of AD include low levels of endogenous melanocortins (MCs) and previous studies have shown that treatment with MC analogs induces neuroprotection in the early stages of AD. Methods We investigated the neuroprotective role of MCs in two transgenic mouse models of severe AD using 5 and 7 month-old (mo) 5XFAD mice and 9 and 12 mo 3xTg mice. These mice were subjected to a chronic stimulation of MC receptors (MCRs) with MC analogue Nle4-D-Phe7-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (NDP-α-MSH, 340 μg/kg, i.p.). Mouse behavior and ex-vivo histological and biochemical analyses were performed after 50 days of treatment. Results Our analysis demonstrated an improvement in cognitive abilities of AD mice at late stage of AD progression. We also showed that these protective effects are associated with decreased levels of hyperphosphorylated Tau but not with Aβ burden, that was unaffected in the hippocampus and in the cortex of AD mice. In addition, an age-dependent NDP effect on glial reactivity was observed only in 3xTg mice whereas a global downregulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was selectively observed in 7 mo 5XFAD and 14 mo 3xTg mice. Conclusion Our results suggest that MCR stimulation by NDP-α-MSH could represent a promising therapeutic strategy in managing cognitive decline also at late stage of AD, whereas the effects on neuroinflammation may be restricted to specific stages of AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Daini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Vandini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Pharmacology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Martina Bodria
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Wenjie Liao
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Baraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Secco
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ottani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Pharmacology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Giuliani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Pharmacology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonietta Vilella
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy,*Correspondence: Antonietta Vilella,
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Ramírez S, Haddad-Tóvolli R, Radosevic M, Toledo M, Pané A, Alcolea D, Ribas V, Milà-Guasch M, Pozo M, Obri A, Eyre E, Gómez-Valadés AG, Chivite I, Van Eeckhout T, Zalachoras I, Altirriba J, Bauder C, Imbernón M, Garrabou G, Garcia-Ruiz C, Nogueiras R, Soto D, Gasull X, Sandi C, Brüning JC, Fortea J, Jiménez A, Fernández-Checa JC, Claret M. Hypothalamic pregnenolone mediates recognition memory in the context of metabolic disorders. Cell Metab 2022; 34:269-284.e9. [PMID: 35108514 PMCID: PMC8815774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with cognitive dysfunction. Because the hypothalamus is implicated in energy balance control and memory disorders, we hypothesized that specific neurons in this brain region are at the interface of metabolism and cognition. Acute obesogenic diet administration in mice impaired recognition memory due to defective production of the neurosteroid precursor pregnenolone in the hypothalamus. Genetic interference with pregnenolone synthesis by Star deletion in hypothalamic POMC, but not AgRP neurons, deteriorated recognition memory independently of metabolic disturbances. Our data suggest that pregnenolone's effects on cognitive function were mediated via an autocrine mechanism on POMC neurons, influencing hippocampal long-term potentiation. The relevance of central pregnenolone on cognition was also confirmed in metabolically unhealthy patients with obesity. Our data reveal an unsuspected role for POMC neuron-derived neurosteroids in cognition. These results provide the basis for a framework to investigate new facets of POMC neuron biology with implications for cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ramírez
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Roberta Haddad-Tóvolli
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marija Radosevic
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Toledo
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Pané
- Obesity Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicent Ribas
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Milà-Guasch
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Macarena Pozo
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnaud Obri
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Eyre
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alicia G Gómez-Valadés
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iñigo Chivite
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomas Van Eeckhout
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ioannis Zalachoras
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Altirriba
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Corinna Bauder
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mónica Imbernón
- Department of Physiology, Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Gloria Garrabou
- Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, CELLEX-IDIBAPS, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcia-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Soto
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Gasull
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany; National Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEPD), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Juan Fortea
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana de Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amanda Jiménez
- Obesity Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Barcelona, Spain; Translational Research in Diabetes, Lipids and Obesity, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José C Fernández-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marc Claret
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism (NeuCoMe) Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Barcelona, Spain; Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Zhou Y, Chawla MK, Rios-Monterrosa JL, Wang L, Zempare MA, Hruby VJ, Barnes CA, Cai M. Aged Brains Express Less Melanocortin Receptors, Which Correlates with Age-Related Decline of Cognitive Functions. Molecules 2021; 26:6266. [PMID: 34684847 PMCID: PMC8541441 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain G-protein coupled receptors have been hypothesized to be potential targets for maintaining or restoring cognitive function in normal aged individuals or in patients with neurodegenerative disease. A number of recent reports suggest that activation of melanocortin receptors (MCRs) in the brain can significantly improve cognitive functions of normal rodents and of different rodent models of the Alzheimer's disease. However, the potential impact of normative aging on the expression of MCRs and their potential roles for modulating cognitive function remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we first investigated the expression of these receptors in six different brain regions of young (6 months) and aged (23 months) rats following assessment of their cognitive status. Correlation analysis was further performed to reveal potential contributions of MCR subtypes to spatial learning and memory. Our results revealed statistically significant correlations between the expression of several MCR subtypes in the frontal cortex/hypothalamus and the hippocampus regions and the rats' performance in spatial learning and memory only in the aged rats. These findings support the hypothesis that aging has a direct impact on the expression and function of MCRs, establishing MCRs as potential drug targets to alleviate aging-induced decline of cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.R.-M.); (L.W.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Monica K. Chawla
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.K.C.); (M.A.Z.); (C.A.B.)
- Division of Neural Systems, Memory & Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jose L. Rios-Monterrosa
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.R.-M.); (L.W.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.R.-M.); (L.W.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Marc A. Zempare
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.K.C.); (M.A.Z.); (C.A.B.)
- Division of Neural Systems, Memory & Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.R.-M.); (L.W.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Carol A. Barnes
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.K.C.); (M.A.Z.); (C.A.B.)
- Division of Neural Systems, Memory & Aging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Psychology, Neurology and Neuroscience, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.R.-M.); (L.W.); (V.J.H.)
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Treadmill Exercise Ameliorates Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Possibly by Adjusting the APP Proteolytic Pathway in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179570. [PMID: 34502477 PMCID: PMC8431648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder known to cause cognitive impairment among the elderly worldwide. Although physical exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) improves cognition, understanding its underlying molecular mechanisms requires further investigation using AD mouse models. In this present work, we subjected amyloid precursor protein (APP)/PS1 mice to a 12-week aerobic treadmill exercise to investigate AHN and its potential mechanisms. We divided 3-month-old littermates wild-type and APP/PS1 transgenic male mice into four groups, and the exercise groups performed 12-week treadmill exercise. Next, we evaluated the influence of treadmill exercise on learning and memory capacity, AHN, and APP proteolytic pathway-related factors. As per our results, the treadmill exercise was able to improve the hippocampal microenvironment in APP/PS1 mice probably by regulating various neurotrophic factors and secretases resulting in APP cleavage through a non-amyloidogenic pathway, which seems to further promote new cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis. All of these effects ameliorate learning and memory capacity. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for understanding AHN in an AD mouse model, which is beneficial for preventing and treating AD.
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Activation of the Melanocortin-1 Receptor by NDP-MSH Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Neuronal Apoptosis through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Pathway after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:8864100. [PMID: 33274009 PMCID: PMC7676969 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8864100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis play crucial roles in secondary brain injury (SBI) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recently, Nle4-D-Phe7-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH), a synthetic agonist of the melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), has been proved to inhibit neuroinflammatory in several diseases. This study is aimed at exploring if NDP-MSH could reduce oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis following ICH, as well as the potential mechanism. A mouse ICH model was induced by autologous blood injection. NDP-MSH was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h after ICH. Mc1r siRNA and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 were administrated to inhibit the expression of Mc1r and phosphorylation of PI3K, respectively. Neurological test, brain water content, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis were utilized in this study. The results exhibited that Mc1r was mainly expressed in neurons, and its level in the ipsilateral hemisphere was significantly elevated after ICH. NDP-MSH treatment significantly attenuated the neurological deficits and brain water content 24 hours after ICH, which was accompanied by the inhibition of oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. The administration of NDP-MSH after ICH significantly promoted the expression of Mc1r, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-Nrf2, followed by an increase of Bcl-2 and reduction of cleaved caspase-3. Conversely, downregulating the expression of Mc1r and phosphorylation of PI3K aggravated the neurological deficits and brain edema at 24 hours after ICH, meanwhile, the effect of NDP-MSH on the expression of Mc1r, p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-Nrf2, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase 3 was also abolished. In conclusion, our data suggest that the activation of Mc1r by NDP-MSH ameliorates oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway after ICH in mice.
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Mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1 activation is involved in melanocortin-induced BDNF expression in Neuro2a neuronal cells. Neuroreport 2020; 31:1007-1014. [PMID: 32815825 PMCID: PMC7467152 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortins are neuropeptides exerting versatile functions in the nervous system. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is primarily expressed in the brain and is thought to be a major mediator for melanocortin. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a crucial downstream molecule of MC4R activation, to yield neurite outgrowth, neuroregenerative, anorexigenic and other actions. In this study, we stimulated Neuro2a murine neuronal cells with an α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analog, [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH). In Neuro2a cells, NDP-MSH promoted neurite outgrowth. Upon NDP-MSH administration, BDNF expression was greatly enhanced. Furthermore, this effect was effectively reversed by the MC4R antagonist, JKC-363. We found that NDP-MSH treatment activated the ERK cascade and its downstream kinase MSK1 (mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1). Antagonism of the MSK1 cascade by a specific inhibitor or overexpression of a defective MSK1 mutant interrupted the phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), blocking BDNF upregulation. In addition, MSK1 activation triggered an epigenetic alteration in histone H3 (Ser10), facilitating the expression of the BDNF gene. Taken together, our results showed that MSK1 kinase positively activates MC4R-induced BDNF expression via modulating the phosphorylation of CREB and histone H3 in Neuro2a neuronal cells.
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17
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Montero-Melendez T, Nagano A, Chelala C, Filer A, Buckley CD, Perretti M. Therapeutic senescence via GPCR activation in synovial fibroblasts facilitates resolution of arthritis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:745. [PMID: 32029712 PMCID: PMC7005314 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14421-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis affects individuals commonly during the most productive years of adulthood. Poor response rates and high costs associated with treatment mandate the search for new therapies. Here we show that targeting a specific G-protein coupled receptor promotes senescence in synovial fibroblasts, enabling amelioration of joint inflammation. Following activation of the melanocortin type 1 receptor (MC1), synovial fibroblasts acquire a senescence phenotype characterized by arrested proliferation, metabolic re-programming and marked gene alteration resembling the remodeling phase of wound healing, with increased matrix metalloproteinase expression and reduced collagen production. This biological response is attained by selective agonism of MC1, not shared by non-selective ligands, and dependent on downstream ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In vivo, activation of MC1 leads to anti-arthritic effects associated with induction of senescence in the synovial tissue and cartilage protection. Altogether, selective activation of MC1 is a viable strategy to induce cellular senescence, affording a distinct way to control joint inflammation and arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinidad Montero-Melendez
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK. .,Centre for Inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Ai Nagano
- Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Claude Chelala
- Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.,Life Sciences Initiative, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Filer
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher D Buckley
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Birmingham, UK.,Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mauro Perretti
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK. .,Centre for Inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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Baldini G, Phelan KD. The melanocortin pathway and control of appetite-progress and therapeutic implications. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R1-R33. [PMID: 30812013 PMCID: PMC6500576 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The initial discovery that ob/ob mice become obese because of a recessive mutation of the leptin gene has been crucial to discover the melanocortin pathway to control appetite. In the melanocortin pathway, the fed state is signaled by abundance of circulating hormones such as leptin and insulin, which bind to receptors expressed at the surface of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to promote processing of POMC to the mature hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The α-MSH released by POMC neurons then signals to decrease energy intake by binding to melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expressed by MC4R neurons to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Conversely, in the 'starved state' activity of agouti-related neuropeptide (AgRP) and of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-expressing neurons is increased by decreased levels of circulating leptin and insulin and by the orexigenic hormone ghrelin to promote food intake. This initial understanding of the melanocortin pathway has recently been implemented by the description of the complex neuronal circuit that controls the activity of POMC, AgRP/NPY and MC4R neurons and downstream signaling by these neurons. This review summarizes the progress done on the melanocortin pathway and describes how obesity alters this pathway to disrupt energy homeostasis. We also describe progress on how leptin and insulin receptors signal in POMC neurons, how MC4R signals and how altered expression and traffic of MC4R change the acute signaling and desensitization properties of the receptor. We also describe how the discovery of the melanocortin pathway has led to the use of melanocortin agonists to treat obesity derived from genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin D. Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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19
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Michael J, Marschallinger J, Aigner L. The leukotriene signaling pathway: a druggable target in Alzheimer’s disease. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:505-516. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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20
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Maletínská L, Popelová A, Železná B, Bencze M, Kuneš J. The impact of anorexigenic peptides in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease pathology. J Endocrinol 2019; 240:R47-R72. [PMID: 30475219 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly population. Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated that patients who suffer from obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of cognitive dysfunction and AD. Several recent studies demonstrated that food intake-lowering (anorexigenic) peptides have the potential to improve metabolic disorders and that they may also potentially be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the neuroprotective effects of anorexigenic peptides of both peripheral and central origins are discussed. Moreover, the role of leptin as a key modulator of energy homeostasis is discussed in relation to its interaction with anorexigenic peptides and their analogs in AD-like pathology. Although there is no perfect experimental model of human AD pathology, animal studies have already proven that anorexigenic peptides exhibit neuroprotective properties. This phenomenon is extremely important for the potential development of new drugs in view of the aging of the human population and of the significantly increasing incidence of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Maletínská
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Popelová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Železná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Bencze
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Kuneš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
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21
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Saba J, Carniglia L, Ramírez D, Turati J, Imsen M, Durand D, Lasaga M, Caruso C. Melanocortin 4 receptor activation protects striatal neurons and glial cells from 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 94:41-51. [PMID: 30529228 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a melanocortin which exerts potent anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) are abundantly expressed in the brain and we previously demonstrated that [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH), an α-MSH analogue, increased expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). We hypothesized that melanocortins could affect striatal cell survival through BDNF and PPAR-γ. First, we determined the expression of these factors in the striatum. Acute intraperitoneal administration (0.5 mg/kg) of α-MSH increased the levels of BDNF mRNA in rat striatum but not in rat cerebral cortex. Also, protein expression of PPAR-γ and MC4R was increased by acute treatment with α-MSH in striatum but not in cortex. No changes were observed by 48 h treatment. Next, we evaluated melanocortins effect on neuron and glial survival. 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), which is known to induce striatal degeneration, was used to induce cell death in the rat striatal cell line ST14A expressing mutant human huntingtin (Q120) or in ST14A cells expressing normal human huntingtin (Q15), in primary cultured astrocytes, and in BV2 cells. NDP-MSH protected Q15 cells, astrocytes and BV2 cells from death by 3-NP whereas it did not fully protect Q120 cells. Protection of Q15 cells and astrocytes was blocked by a MC4R specific inhibitor (JKC-363) and a PPAR-γ antagonist (GW9662). The BDNF receptor antagonist (ANA-12) abolished NDP-MSH protective effect in astrocytes but not in Q15 cells. We demonstrate for the first time that melanocortins, acting through PPAR-γ and BDNF, protect neurons and glial cells from 3-NP toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Saba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lila Carniglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Delia Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Turati
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Imsen
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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22
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Lensing CJ, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Speth RC, Zarth AT, Haskell-Luevano C. Developing a Biased Unmatched Bivalent Ligand (BUmBL) Design Strategy to Target the GPCR Homodimer Allosteric Signaling (cAMP over β-Arrestin 2 Recruitment) Within the Melanocortin Receptors. J Med Chem 2018; 62:144-158. [PMID: 29669202 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the functional relevance of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) homodimerization has been limited by the insufficient tools to assess asymmetric signaling occurring within dimers comprised of the same receptor type. We present unmatched bivalent ligands (UmBLs) to study the asymmetric function of melanocortin homodimers. UmBLs contain one agonist and one antagonist pharmacophore designed to target a melanocortin homodimer such that one receptor is occupied by an agonist and the other receptor by an antagonist pharmacophore. First-in-class biased UmBLs (BUmBLs) targeting the human melanocortin-4 receptor (hMC4R) were discovered. The BUmBLs displayed biased agonism by potently stimulating cAMP signaling (EC50 ∼ 2-6 nM) but minimally activating the β-arrestin recruitment pathway (≤55% maximum signal at 10 μM). To our knowledge, we report the first single-compound strategy to pharmacologically target melanocortin receptor allosteric signaling that occurs between homodimers that can be applied straightforwardly in vitro and in vivo to other GPCR systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Lensing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Sathya M Schnell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Robert C Speth
- College of Pharmacy , Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33328-2018 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Georgetown University , Washington, D.C. 20057 , United States
| | - Adam T Zarth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States.,Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , 2231 Sixth Street SE, 2-210 CCRB , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience , University of Minnesota , 308 Harvard Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
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23
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Melanocortins, Melanocortin Receptors and Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7080104. [PMID: 28805746 PMCID: PMC5575624 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7080104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortins and their receptors have been extensively investigated for their roles in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, but to a lesser extent in immune cells and in the nervous system outside the hypothalamic axis. This review discusses corticosteroid dependent and independent effects of melanocortins on the peripheral immune system, central nervous system (CNS) effects mediated through neuronal regulation of immune system function, and direct effects on endogenous cells in the CNS. We have focused on the expression and function of melanocortin receptors in oligodendroglia (OL), the myelin producing cells of the CNS, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic approaches to decrease CNS damage in multiple sclerosis as well as to promote repair. It is clear that melanocortin signaling through their receptors in the CNS has potential for neuroprotection and repair in diseases like MS. Effects of melanocortins on the immune system by direct effects on the circulating cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) and by signaling through CNS cells in regions lacking a mature blood brain barrier are clear. However, additional studies are needed to develop highly effective MCR targeted therapies that directly affect endogenous cells of the CNS, particularly OL, their progenitors and neurons.
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24
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Intranasal telmisartan ameliorates brain pathology in five familial Alzheimer's disease mice. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 64:80-90. [PMID: 28385651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a major circulative system engaged in homeostasis modulation. Angiotensin II (Ang II) serves as its main effector hormone upon binding to its primary receptor, Ang II receptor type 1 (AT1R). It is well established that an intrinsic independent brain RAS exists. Abnormal AT1R activation both in the periphery and in the brain probably contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology that is characterized, among others, by brain inflammation. Moreover, treatment with drugs that block AT1R (AT1R blockers, ARBs) ameliorates most of the clinical risk factors leading to AD. Previously we showed that short period of intranasal treatment with telmisartan (a brain penetrating ARB) reduced brain inflammation and ameliorated amyloid burden (a component of Alzheimer's plaques) in AD transgenic mouse model. In the present study, we aimed to examine the long-term effect of intranasally administrated telmisartan on brain inflammation features including microglial activation, astrogliosis, neuronal loss and hippocampus-dependent cognition in five-familial AD mouse model (5XFAD). Five month of intranasal treatment with telmisartan significantly reduced amyloid burden in the cortex and hippocampus of 5XFAD mice as compared with the vehicle-treated 5XFAD group. Similar effects were also observed for CD11b staining, which is a marker for microglial accumulation. Telmisartan also significantly reduced astrogliosis and neuronal loss in the cortex of 5XFAD mice compared with the vehicle-treated group. Improved spatial acquisition of the 5XFAD mice following long-term intranasal administration of telmisartan was also observed. Taken together, our data suggest a significant role for AT1R blockage in mediating neuronal loss and cognitive behavior, possibly through regulation of amyloid burden and glial inflammation.
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25
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The melanocortin system is a primordial and critical system for survival, involved in a wide variety of physiological functions. It includes melanocortin receptors (MCRs) and melanotropin ligands (MCLs). MCRs are important drug targets that can regulate several key physiological processes. Extensive efforts have been made to develop peptide and peptidomimetics targeting melanocortin receptors including MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. Most research is focused on developing potent and selective melanotropins. However, developing bioavailable melanotropins remains challenging. Areas covered: Herein, the authors summarize promising strategies for developing bioavailable MCLs by using cyclized N-methylated melanotropins, and using cyclotide and tetrapeptide as templates. They discuss their unique advantages in oral availability and targeting MCRs in the central nervous system or in peripheral tissues. Finally, they discuss the observed differences in thepharmacology of MCRs between in vitro and in vivo tests. Expert opinion: N-methylated cyclized melanotropins have great potential to become bio- available drugs targeting MCRs in the brain, while MCR-grafted cyclotides tend to target MCRs in peripheral tissue. A better understanding of the biased signaling process is a new challenge and opportunity for the future discovery of bioavailable MCLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ USA
| | - Minying Cai
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ USA
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26
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Lensing CJ, Adank DN, Wilber SL, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Speth RC, Zarth AT, Haskell-Luevano C. A Direct in Vivo Comparison of the Melanocortin Monovalent Agonist Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH 2 versus the Bivalent Agonist Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-PEDG20-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH 2: A Bivalent Advantage. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1262-1278. [PMID: 28128928 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bivalent ligands targeting putative melanocortin receptor dimers have been developed and characterized in vitro; however, studies of their functional in vivo effects have been limited. The current report compares the effects of homobivalent ligand CJL-1-87, Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-PEDG20-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2, to monovalent ligand CJL-1-14, Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2, on energy homeostasis in mice after central intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration into the lateral ventricle of the brain. Bivalent ligand CJL-1-87 had noteworthy advantages as an antiobesity probe over CJL-1-14 in a fasting-refeeding in vivo paradigm. Treatment with CJL-1-87 significantly decreased food intake compared to CJL-1-14 or saline (50% less intake 2-8 h after treatment). Furthermore, CJL-1-87 treatment decreased the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) without changing the energy expenditure indicating that fats were being burned as the primary fuel source. Additionally, CJL-1-87 treatment significantly lowered body fat mass percentage 6 h after administration (p < 0.05) without changing the lean mass percentage. The bivalent ligand significantly decreased insulin, C-peptide, leptin, GIP, and resistin plasma levels compared to levels after CJL-1-14 or saline treatments. Alternatively, ghrelin plasma levels were significantly increased. Serum stability of CJL-1-87 and CJL-1-14 (T1/2 = 6.0 and 16.8 h, respectively) was sufficient to permit physiological effects. The differences in binding affinity of CJL-1-14 compared to CJL-1-87 are speculated as a possible mechanism for the bivalent ligand's unique effects. We also provide in vitro evidence for the formation of a MC3R-MC4R heterodimer complex, for the first time to our knowledge, that may be an unexploited neuronal molecular target. Regardless of the exact mechanism, the advantageous ability of CJL-1-87 compared to CJL-1-14 to increase in vitro binding affinity, increase the duration of action in spite of decreased serum stability, decrease in vivo food intake, decrease mice's body fat percent, and differentially affect mouse hormone levels demonstrates the distinct characteristics achieved from the current melanocortin agonist bivalent design strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J. Lensing
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Danielle N. Adank
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Stacey L. Wilber
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T. Freeman
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sathya M. Schnell
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Robert C. Speth
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2018, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Adam T. Zarth
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, 2231 6th Street SE, 2-210 CCRB, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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27
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Bitto A, Giuliani D, Pallio G, Irrera N, Vandini E, Canalini F, Zaffe D, Ottani A, Minutoli L, Rinaldi M, Guarini S, Squadrito F, Altavilla D. Effects of COX1-2/5-LOX blockade in Alzheimer transgenic 3xTg-AD mice. Inflamm Res 2017; 66:389-398. [DOI: 10.1007/s00011-017-1022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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28
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Melanocortin Receptor-4 Gene Polymorphisms in Glioblastoma Patients Treated with Concomitant Radio-Chemotherapy. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:1396-1404. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0414-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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29
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The therapeutic contribution of nanomedicine to treat neurodegenerative diseases via neural stem cell differentiation. Biomaterials 2017; 123:77-91. [PMID: 28161683 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of adult neurogenesis drastically changed the therapeutic approaches of central nervous system regenerative medicine. The stimulation of this physiologic process can increase memory and motor performances in patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Neural stem cells contribute to the neurogenesis process through their differentiation into specialized neuronal cells. In this review, we describe the most important methods developed to restore neurological functions via neural stem cell differentiation. In particular, we focused on the role of nanomedicine. The application of nanostructured scaffolds, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems, and nanotechnology-based real-time imaging has significantly improved the safety and the efficacy of neural stem cell-based treatments. This review provides a comprehensive background on the contribution of nanomedicine to the modulation of neurogenesis via neural stem cell differentiation.
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30
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Multiple beneficial effects of melanocortin MC 4 receptor agonists in experimental neurodegenerative disorders: Therapeutic perspectives. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 148:40-56. [PMID: 27916623 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin peptides induce neuroprotection in acute and chronic experimental neurodegenerative conditions. Melanocortins likewise counteract systemic responses to brain injuries. Furthermore, they promote neurogenesis by activating critical signaling pathways. Melanocortin-induced long-lasting improvement in synaptic activity and neurological performance, including learning and memory, sensory-motor orientation and coordinated limb use, has been consistently observed in experimental models of acute and chronic neurodegeneration. Evidence indicates that the neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of melanocortins, as well as the protection against systemic responses to a brain injury, are mediated by brain melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptors, through an involvement of the vagus nerve. Here we discuss the targets and mechanisms underlying the multiple beneficial effects recently observed in animal models of neurodegeneration. We comment on the potential clinical usefulness of melanocortin MC4 receptor agonists as neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents in ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease.
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31
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Lensing CJ, Freeman KT, Schnell SM, Adank DN, Speth RC, Haskell-Luevano C. An in Vitro and in Vivo Investigation of Bivalent Ligands That Display Preferential Binding and Functional Activity for Different Melanocortin Receptor Homodimers. J Med Chem 2016; 59:3112-28. [PMID: 26959173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacological probes for the melanocortin receptors have been utilized for studying various disease states including cancer, sexual function disorders, Alzheimer's disease, social disorders, cachexia, and obesity. This study focused on the design and synthesis of bivalent ligands to target melanocortin receptor homodimers. Lead ligands increased binding affinity by 14- to 25-fold and increased cAMP signaling potency by 3- to 5-fold compared to their monovalent counterparts. Unexpectedly, different bivalent ligands showed preferences for particular melanocortin receptor subtypes depending on the linker that connected the binding scaffolds, suggesting structural differences between the various dimer subtypes. Homobivalent compound 12 possessed a functional profile that was unique from its monovalent counterpart providing evidence of the discrete effects of bivalent ligands. Lead compound 7 significantly decreased feeding in mice after intracerebroventricular administration. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a melanocortin bivalent ligand's in vivo physiological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Lensing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katie T Freeman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sathya M Schnell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Danielle N Adank
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Robert C Speth
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2018, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University , Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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32
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Anastasiadou S, Knöll B. The multiple sclerosis drug fingolimod (FTY720) stimulates neuronal gene expression, axonal growth and regeneration. Exp Neurol 2016; 279:243-260. [PMID: 26980486 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fingolimod (FTY720) is a new generation oral treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). So far, FTY720 was mainly considered to target trafficking of immune cells but not brain cells such as neurons. Herein, we analyzed FTY720's potential to directly alter neuronal function. In CNS neurons, we identified a FTY720 governed gene expression response. FTY720 upregulated immediate early genes (IEGs) encoding for neuronal activity associated transcription factors such as c-Fos, FosB, Egr1 and Egr2 and induced actin cytoskeleton associated genes (actin isoforms, tropomyosin, calponin). Stimulation of primary neurons with FTY720 enhanced neurite growth and altered growth cone morphology. In accordance, FTY720 enhanced axon regeneration in mice upon facial nerve axotomy. We identified components of a FTY720 engaged signaling cascade including S1P receptors, G12/13G-proteins, RhoA-GTPases and the transcription factors SRF/MRTF. In summary, we uncovered a broader cellular and therapeutic operation mode of FTY720, suggesting beneficial FTY720 effects also on CNS neurons during MS therapy and for treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases requiring neuroprotective and neurorestorative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Anastasiadou
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Bernd Knöll
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone prevents glutamate excitotoxicity in developing chicken retina via MC4R-mediated down-regulation of microRNA-194. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15812. [PMID: 26507936 PMCID: PMC4623527 DOI: 10.1038/srep15812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate excitotoxicity is a common pathology to blinding ischemic retinopathies, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and central retinal vein or artery occlusion. The development of an effective interventional modality to glutamate excitotoxicity is hence important to preventing blindness. Herein we showed that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) time-dependently protected against glutamate-induced cell death and tissue damage in an improved embryonic chicken retinal explant culture system. α-MSH down-regulated microRNA-194 (miR-194) expression during the glutamate excitotoxicity in the retinal explants. Furthermore, pharmacological antagonists to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and lentivirus-mediated overexpression of pre-miR-194 abrogated the suppressing effects of α-MSH on glutamate-induced activities of caspase 3 or 7, the ultimate enzymes for glutamate-induced cell death. These results suggest that the protective effects of α-MSH may be due to the MC4R mediated-down-regulation of miR-194 during the glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Finally, α-MSH attenuated cell death and recovered visual functions in glutamate-stimulated post-hatch chick retinas. These results demonstrate the previously undescribed protective effects of α-MSH against glutamate-induced excitotoxic cell death in the cone-dominated retina both in vitro and in vivo, and indicate a novel molecular mechanism linking MC4R-mediated signaling to miR-194.
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